By Jasper Ouni
Lango Chief Eng. Dr. Odongo Okune Calls for Speedy Disposal of Land Cases in Court to Scale down Murders in Lango
The Paramount Chief of Tekwaro Lango cultural institution Eng. Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune is worried about increased murder cases in the sub-region.
Odongo warned that his people of Lango avoid getting involved in the extra-judicial killing of suspected criminals without allowing them to follow due process of prosecution.
Odongo Okune in a statement issued by Tekwaro Lango clerk to council Rev. Martin Odongo warned that such practice will have negative impacts in the future.
Records from the North Kyoga police region which covers the entire Lango sub-region show that 92 murder cases were reported between January and May this year.
In January alone, police registered 20 murder cases, 19 in February, 17 on March, 20 in April and 16 in May.
The highest contributor to the murder cases is mob action followed by domestic violence and assault.
The others are murder by shooting, poisoning, strangulation and use of blunt objects. On average, police registers at least one murder case in a day.
However, Odongo warned that nobody is allowed to take one’s life as clearly stated in the Penal Code Act section 188 and 189.
The Paramount Chief asked the country’s judicial system to expedite the hearing and resolving of land-related cases filed in courts because it seems to be one of the factors fueling murders in Lango sub-region.
According to him, if the cases are heard and resolved without delay before the parties in dispute resort to killing each other, the number of murder cases will drop down forthwith.
Police have in the recent past called upon local leaders to help mitigate crime rates in the region.
Jimmy Patrick Okema, the North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson is worried that murder is becoming common in the sub-region despite their efforts to curb the vice.
Okema appealed to all stakeholders, especially cultural and religious leaders, to take the mantle of preaching against the vice so that peace can prevail.
Editor@lbs.co.ug
