There was chaos in Gwengabara Cell, Lira City West Division, after a 90-year-old woman was attacked by a mob, accused of practicing witchcraft during a burial ceremony.
Mary Epila, a resident of the area, had joined the community on Monday afternoon for the burial of Stephen Engom, who had died in a motor accident in Luwero District. During the ceremony, Epila was seen seated and throwing a white plastic bag containing a pink piece of cloth, which raised suspicions among the mourners.
The local chairperson, Stephen Okori, was alerted, and the police from Angwet-angwet police post were called to investigate. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the plastic bag contained urine.
However, the situation escalated as a crowd gathered around Epila. They became aggressive, accusing her of witchcraft and attacking her with stones and sticks. Efforts to rescue her failed when the mob overpowered a police officer attempting to carry her away on a motorcycle.
The North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson confirmed that Epila was stoned to death at the scene. A general inquiry file has been opened, and the deceased’s son, Tom Ocero, along with the local chairperson, have provided statements to aid in the investigation. The body was taken to Lira Regional Referral Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Police have arrested five suspects involved in the mob attack, identified as Patrick Odong, Vincent Okello, Daniel Obonyo, Dicken Ongom, and Epila Opio. Authorities have condemned the incident, vowing to pursue justice.
In recent months, Lango Sub-region has seen an alarming number of brutal killings, with more than 60 cases recorded between June and September, many linked to mob violence. Notably, in July, a mob in Ayami Sub-county lynched a man accused of attempting to sacrifice a child, and another mob in Lira City killed a suspected thief.