By Mary Karugaba

Twenty-eight-year old Agnes Abanyo spent the day listening to women talk about domestic violence on Women's Day at Lapono grounds in Agago district. Little did she know hours later, she would become a victim.

According to the OC Lapono Police Post, Inspector of Police Lawrence Draku, Abonyo was reportedly clobbered with an axe on the head by her husband Mathew Obwoma, after returning from women celebrations.

She died instantly. Her husband reportedly escaped and later handed himself over to Kitgum Police where he is presently being held.

Draku said according to witnesses,  Abonyo  returned from the women celebrations late in the evening and went to buy paraffin at a nearby shop.

“When she returned, the two picked a quarrel and the man followed her to the shop. Unfortunately, the quarrel did not stop. At around midnight, the husband reportedly picked an axe and hit her on the head, killing her instantly,” Draku said.

“We are still investigating exactly what could have caused the conflict,” Draku said.

Statistics indicate that of recent there has been increasing cases of domestic violence in Uganda.

Police records show that cases of domestic violence have been on the rise in Uganda: 156 in 2008, 185 in 2009 and 276 in 2010.

More than two thirds of Ugandan women experience violence from their partners according to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2006.

The report discovered that 68% had been harassed or beaten by their partners during the 12 months preceding the survey. This included: beating, pushing, dragging, and forced sex, arm twisting, threatening, insulting and choking.

Rural women suffered more violence than urban women, according to the survey.