Man allegedly kills four relatives in Katakwi

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A tragic incident unfolded in Akore village, located in Akomotukoi parish of Ongongoja sub-county, Katakwi District, when a 40-year-old man, Emmanuel Oucul, allegedly took the lives of four relatives and injured two others.

The victims, identified by family members and local leaders, were killed on Friday evening, September 6, 2025.

They include Gerald Okure, aged 80; Christine Atim, who is Oucul’s biological mother; and two young girls, Martha Akiteng, just four years old, and 12-year-old Josephine Agwang.

Notably, Akiteng (Okure’s biological daughter) and Agwang (Okure’s biological granddaughter).

The injured are Oucul's wife, Agnes Aanyu, and his (Oucul) brother, Michael Ocan, both of whom are currently receiving treatment at Katakwi General Hospital.

Pampus Oumo, Oucul's brother, recounted that the horrifying events began around 7:30pm. Earlier that day, Oucul and his wife attended a baptism at St Stephen Catholic Church in Obulengorok, in preparation for their upcoming wedding on the 16th of the month.

After being baptised by Fr Edmond Angitu from St Peter's Clever Catholic Parish Ongongoja, it became evident that Oucul struggled with the prayer, prompting the catechist, John Robert Oleemo, to recommend finding a wedded couple to help him.

Later that evening, as rain fell, Oucul returned home and requested family members, including Oumo, to assist him in learning how to pray.

However, his wife noticed troubling signs—in her words, he appeared to be losing touch with reality, a condition he had experienced intermittently in the past.

Oumo explained that his brother seemed to lose control, dramatically removing his shirt and rushing into their house, where his children were. Unbeknownst to everyone, this marked the beginning of a tragic episode.

Oucul found a mortar pestle in the house and fled, only to return and violently assault his wife just a short distance from their home.

As Oumo entered the house to pick up and save his two children from the suspect, Oucul feared his brother was reaching for a weapon to attack him.

In a panic, Oucul fled and encountered their mother on the way, whom he tragically killed, then continued onward to another home where he allegedly murdered his elder father, Okure.

Oumo recounted their attempt to raise an alarm to alert the neighbours for help, but the heavy rain drowned out their cries, leaving them unheard.

Simon Peter Ongede, the leader of the Ikorinyanga clan, received news of the horrific events around 10pm, but was unable to respond immediately due to a lack of fuel in his motorcycle.

Ongede arrived at the scene around 6:30 AM today, finding Okure and the two children gathered together in one location.

He mentioned that earlier this year, he had been informed that Oucul was experiencing severe mental health issues, which led to violent outbursts.

Ongede had taken him to Matany hospital, but was later referred to Moroto regional referral hospital for further treatment.

Peter Ochode, the area councilor for Akomotukoi parish and secretary of health and education at Ongongoja Sub-County, criticised the police for their alleged delayed response to the crime scene.

Upon arrival, police found Oucul still attacking the three deceased (Okure and two daughters) inside the house, declaring repeatedly, “I have finished my mission, whatever happens, let it happen. Let the angels receive me in heaven.”

According to Ochode, when the police asked Oucul to come out, he complied while raising his hands in surrender.

Geoffrey Omolo, the LCV Chairperson for Katakwi District, claimed Oucul used a stick to kill his mother and a hoe to murder three others.

By the time of this report, SP Jude Nasucha, the Katakwi District Police Commander, confirmed the incident but mentioned that he was in a noisy area en route to the burial of a relative.

Stephen Ilemukorit Okure, the Resident District Commissioner, stated that the four deceased individuals were taken to Katakwi General Hospital mortuary for an autopsy, while Aanyu was being rushed to Mbale for additional treatment, especially a CT-Scan due to a significant head injury.

He urged the community to refrain from hastily dividing the individuals involved in the conflict, noting that some individuals used a hoe to assault Oucul, who then retaliated with that same object against others.