Soroti pupil murder: After court, clashes break out at school
After the court session, scores of people stormed Jozan Nursery and Primary School, forced their way in and set some of the school facilities on fire.
The parents of the deceased seated on the front row following a virtual court session in Soroti court. The court was parked to capacity. (Photos by Godfrey Ojore)
By Godfrey Ojore
Journalists @New Vision
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On Thursday (March 6), the mother of a Primary One pupil whose body was found dumped in a school latrine in Uganda's eastern city of Soroti sat in court fighting back tears.
Although the bereaved Angel Akol was physically in court, the school director — one of the eight suspects arrested over her child's murder — was not.
Instead, like his seven co-accused, Joseph Okedi attended the court session virtually, via Zoom.
Akol and other people in attendance did not like this.
School director Joseph Okedi left and the school matron appearing from Kumi prison virtually.
“I took my child to school physically and paid fees after the school director assured me of my children’s safety. Why don’t they also be delivered in court physically?” she said.
The courtroom at the Grade One Magistrate Court in Soroti city was packed, but with the remotely present suspects seen following along on a giant screen.
At the heart of this case is five-year-old Joan Faith Apio.
On February 5 this year, the twin girl was found dead in a pit latrine at Jozan Nursery and Primary School in East Division, Soroti city.
Police heading to disperse people who were angry.
Subsequently, the Police arrested eight people, including two juveniles, in connection with Apio’s death.
Charged and later remanded in different prisons, the accused are;
▪️ James Edoket, school headmaster
▪️ Joseph Okedi, school director
▪️ Suzan Vivian Ariokot, Okedi’s wife and school co-director
▪️ Osula Adongo, school matron
▪️ Valentin Opio, school cook
▪️ John Bosco Obotol, Police officer in Soroti city
▪️ Two minors
For a murder case that has drawn a lot of local interest, it was unsurprising that a number of people left their businesses to attend Thursday's court session.
According to the charge sheet, the accused "with malice aforethought, and unlawfully, caused the death of Joan Faith Apio".
Eventually, Grade One Magistrate Kibirige Apollo Kasujja further remanded the eight accused until March 20 because the investigations are not yet complete.
“Legally, the suspects have appeared in court and they have heard the court’s decision of further remanding them," said the presiding magistrate, addressing concerns over the physical absence of the accused.
"Zoom has enabled us to bring them together from the different prisons where they are being remanded."
Police putting off fire at the office of the director that was burnt.
A source in Police who asked not to be named told New Vision that they had anticipated clashes if the accused were to be physically delivered to court.
“Last time when they appeared in court physically, angry people stoned our Police officers who were escorting the suspects," said the source.
"So, we decided that court presides over that matter virtually."
Clashes at the school
Meanwhile, after the court session, scores of people stormed Jozan Nursery and Primary School, forced their way in and set some of the school facilities on fire.
They torched the office of the school director and dormitories.
Anti-riot Police personnel deployed at the scene fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse the mob but their efforts were unsuccessful — until the arrival of reinforcement in the form of army personnel.
At least six people were arrested following those clashes. Damalie Nachuha, the East Kyoga regional Police commander, was expected to issue a statement on that development later.
The school has since been closed and the city authorities have advised the parents to register their children in other schools.