Police in Kole District have launched investigations into the killing of a traditional healer who was allegedly attacked by relatives of a man who died after consuming a herbal concoction linked to a cattle theft dispute.
The victim, identified as 50-year-old Mary Oming, a resident of Dibadi Cell in Akalo Town Council, was reportedly beaten to death on Saturday evening.
According to residents, the incident stemmed from events that occurred about two weeks earlier when a local woman, Mary Ayo, allegedly sought Oming’s services after two of her cows were stolen.
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It is alleged that Oming prepared a herbal mixture that was administered to two men suspected of involvement in the theft, Ivan Ecom, 22, and Selestino Ogoro.
Ecom reportedly died after taking the concoction, while Ogoro survived.
Moses Odyek, a resident of Akalo Town Council, said the death sparked anger among Ecom’s relatives, who later turned on the traditional healer.
“The two cows were stolen from her home, then she hired this native doctor who made the suspects drink the herbal concoction. Ecom died and Ogoro survived,” he said.
Police said the violence extended beyond the fatal assault, with the attackers allegedly setting fire to two grass-thatched houses and vandalising a motorcycle, registration number UFH 274E.
The suspects reportedly fled the area and remain at large.
North Kyoga regional police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema confirmed the incident and said a manhunt had been launched.
“The hunt for the suspects is underway,” he said, adding that further details would be released as investigations progress.
The bodies of both Oming and Ecom were taken to Lira Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.
The incident has renewed concerns over mob justice and revenge attacks in northern Uganda, where authorities have been urging communities to resolve disputes through lawful channels rather than taking matters into their own hands.
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