Clan leaders jailed over torture of young woman

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AMOLATAR

Several clan leaders and local officials from Acanmakicinge village in Amolatar district have been sentenced to 20 months in prison.

The group's sentencing follows its pleading guilty to charges related to the torture of a young woman accused of incest with her paternal uncle.

The incident occurred on November 18, 2024, in Opali sub-county and sparked national outrage after a video of the assault went viral on social media. The victim, Annet Awidi, was accused of engaging in an inappropriate relationship with her uncle, Nelson Opon.

The incident and arrests

According to North Kyoga region Police spokesperson, Patrick Jimmy Okema, the victim was subjected to 20 lashes on the orders of James Okwir, alias Olobo, who also demanded a fine of sh60,000. Subsequently, Acanmakicinge LC1 chairperson, Bonny Ocen, directed other clan members to escalate the punishment.



Following the incident, Police conducted a raid on November 20, 2024, and arrested several individuals, including:

• Bonny Ocen, LC1 Chairperson.
• Darius Ojok, LC1 Secretary.
• Alex Awena, Vice Clan Chief of Owumolao Clan.
• Sam Omunu, Speaker of Owumolao Clan.
• Tonny Alyenyu, Askari (guard) of Owumolao Clan.
• James Okwir, alias Olobo.
• Nelson Opon, male victim.
• Two suspects, Solomon Apele and Solomon Ogwal, remain at large.

Court proceedings and sentencing

Four of the accused appeared before Grade One Magistrate Vincent Muzeyi in Dokolo district before whom they pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 20 months in prison each. The convicts include:

• Alex Awena, who ordered the 20 lashes.
• Sam Omunu, who restrained the victim during the beating.
• Tonny Alyenyu, who actively caned the victim.
• James Okwir, alias Olobo, who initiated the punishment.

The court acknowledged the severity of their actions, emphasizing that cultural norms cannot override national laws.

Legal framework and police response

Section 149 of the Penal Code Act criminalises incest, prescribing a penalty of up to seven years in prison. If the involved party is under 18 years old, the punishment increases to life imprisonment. However, Police strongly condemned the vigilante justice meted out in this case.

“We condemn this barbaric and primitive approach to discipline,” Okema said. “Clan leaders must understand that Uganda’s supreme law overrides cultural practices. Any offence should be reported to law enforcement for appropriate handling.”

Okema also noted that such incidents are not isolated, calling for communities to abandon unlawful punishments and respect established legal processes.

Call to action

Authorities are pursuing the remaining suspects while reinforcing the need for clan leaders and local officials to act within the law. 

"This kind of punishment undermines the rule of law and promotes anarchy," Okema added.

The case is a depiction of the tension that can exist between cultural traditions and modern legal standards in Uganda.



Joe Otim, the Awitong (clan leader) of Owumolao, said the magistrate has been very lenient to the convicts.

“He should have sentenced them to at least four or three years to send a message to others who may intend to commit the same offence,” Otim, a retired Police Inspector said.