Jilted man hacks girlfriend, arrested
The incident, which occurred on the evening of July 24, 2026, in Wigweng Cell, Ojwina Ward, Lira City West Division, is being investigated by police as a case of attempted murder.
Police in Lira City have arrested a 20-year-old jilted man who allegedly hacked his girlfriend with a panga after she reportedly refused to reconcile with him. (Credit: Hudson Apunyo)
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Police in Lira City have arrested a 20-year-old jilted man who allegedly hacked his girlfriend with a panga after she reportedly refused to reconcile with him.
The incident, which occurred on the evening of July 24, 2026, in Wigweng Cell, Ojwina Ward, Lira City West Division, is being investigated by police as a case of attempted murder.
Patrick Jimmy Okema, the North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, said preliminary investigations indicate that at about 7:00 pm on July 24, the suspect identified as Emmanuel Odongo telephoned Joan Lacwec, 20, a resident of Barogole Cell, asking her for a meeting following earlier misunderstandings.
According to Police, when the two met, Odongo allegedly attacked the young woman with a panga, inflicting multiple serious wounds. Odongo is a resident of Kicope Cell in Lira City West Division.
Okema said Odongo later drank a poisonous substance and became unconscious at the scene. Members of the public alerted police, and both the injured woman and the unconscious suspect were rushed to Lira Regional Referral Hospital for emergency treatment.
Initially admitted to the Emergency Unit under police guard, Odongo recovered after treatment and police have since detained him at Lira City West Police Division pending completion of investigations.
Speaking during the weekly security press briefing on Monday (July 27), Okema confirmed that the suspect responded well to treatment before being transferred to police cells.
"He was treated, responded well and was taken into police custody. During interrogation, the suspect alleged that the victim had infected him with HIV," Okema told journalists.
Police said the allegation forms part of the investigation although it has not been independently verified.
Suspect Speaks
According to Odongo, they later underwent HIV testing together, and both tested positive. He said he pleaded with her not to leave, "she had already infected me."
Meanwhile, Lacwec remains admitted to the Female Surgical Ward at Lira Regional Referral Hospital with multiple deep wounds to her head, hands and back. She was unable to speak because of her condition.
Police Appeal for Peace
Okema condemned the incident, describing it as a primitive way of resolving relationship disagreements.
"This is a primitive approach to handling disagreements. We appeal to people in relationships to seek peaceful ways of resolving conflicts by involving family members, religious leaders, community leaders or other responsible stakeholders instead of resorting to violence," he said.
Police said statements will be recorded from the complainant, witnesses and the victim once her medical condition improves.