Police hold stepmother for allegedly strangling seven-year-old infant
The suspect, identified as Sharon Akello, is alleged to have caused the death of the boy identified as Brian Ajal on the night of August 16, 2026, in Ongoceng Cell, Southern Ward, Bata Town Council.
Patrick Okema, the North Kyoga regional police spokesperson. (File photo)
_________________
Police in Dokolo District are holding a 30-year-old woman in connection with the alleged murder of her seven-year-old stepson, whose body was discovered inside a grass-thatched house in Bata Town Council.
The suspect, identified as Sharon Akello, is alleged to have caused the death of the boy identified as Brian Ajal on the night of August 16, 2026, in Ongoceng Cell, Southern Ward, Bata Town Council.
The matter was reported to police on August 17 by Paspiko Ebong, 52, a resident of the same area.
According to Patrick Okema, the North Kyoga regional police spokesperson, "preliminary findings indicate that Ebong was informed about the discovery of the body of a seven-year-old boy in Akello's grass-thatched house before he alerted police."
A case of murder was registered at Bata Police Station, paving the way for investigations into the circumstances surrounding the boy's death.
A team comprising detectives, the Scene of Crime Officer and other police officers visited and documented the scene, while witness statements were also recorded as part of the investigation.
"The body was recovered from the scene and conveyed to the Dokolo Health Centre IV mortuary pending a postmortem examination," said Okema.
According to Okema, Akello was arrested and remains in police custody to assist investigators in establishing what happened on the night of the incident and the circumstances surrounding the child's death.
He said the case file will be compiled and submitted to the Resident State Attorney for perusal and legal guidance.
He said cooperation with police would help ensure that the circumstances surrounding the child's death are established and that justice is served.
MURDER STATISTICS
According to the 2025 annual crime report released last week, police recorded 4,238 homicide cases in 2025, a slight decrease from 4,329 cases reported in 2024.
The victims included 3,397 adult males, 550 adult females, 173 male juveniles, and 148 female juveniles. Of these, 338 victims were killed through hacking, compared to 310 in 2024.
An analysis of data indicates that the motives behind these killings largely stemmed from land disputes, domestic violence, acts of mob justice, family misunderstandings, crimes of passion and business rivalries.