Parents of student murdered in Cyprus demand justice

By Vivian Agaba

THE parents of a Ugandan student reportedly murdered in Cyprus over a week ago have implored Interpol pursue the case with the authorities there in order to bring the assailants to book.

Christian Emoit, aged 32 who has been studying at the American College of Nicosia, in Cyprus was on July 12th, found dead in his room with a number of deep cuts all over his arms.

The remains of Emoit, a second year student pursuing Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA), were flown back home on Sunday and taken to Mulago Hospital were local doctors conducted a second postmortem. 

Hundreds of mourners on Tuesday graced a funeral service for him at Watoto Church North in Ntinda before the body was taken to his ancestral home in Tororo where he was laid to rest.

According to Dr. Peter Emodek, a retired surgeon and friend to the bereaved family, the death report from Nicosia, only indicates that Emoit died of hemorrhagic shock after he was cut with a sharp object on his upper limbs.

The family is however not sure whether anyone has been detained in relation to the murder.

"We were told that Emoit's neighbor heard screams and called the police but they only came the next day," said Emodek.

Dr. Zadok Ekimwere, the father of Emoit and also a former features editor at New Vision eulogized the late as a very friendly, vibrant man whose bright future has been cut short.

"On my birthday, in April, my son sent me a birthday message wishing me life long enough to be able to see his children. I am sad to see his dreams shut down in a flash," he said.

"I regret deeply and apologize for your brutal murder. I wish I was there to defend you. I would have offered my back and be stabbed on your behalf. They should have stabbed and killed me instead of you, why take my son?" the visibly devastated father mourned.

"Emoit was killed brutally; after his burial, I will do whatever it takes to find out his assailants, even if it means travelling to Cyprus. We want justice for the death of our son," he noted.

Dr. Emodek told mourners that the report by the government pathologists in Kampala, indicates that Emoit lost a lot of blood due to the deep cuts sustained, leading to his death.

He explained that Emoit was found with two deep cuts on his right hand, and another on the left, and on the arms. There were bruises on his skull, information that was not included in the letter from Cyprus.

"The deep cuts on his arms indicate that Emoit tried to hold the knife the attacker was using, but was overpowered. The letter also indicated there was blood on the window of his apartment, meaning he was trying to break it and save his life but he failed," said Emodek.