Man kills relative in sh2,000 fight

CRIME

APAC-The Police in Apac district are hunting for a man who stabbed his relative to death following a struggle over sh2,000.

Andrew Onono, 32, a resident of Atek village in Apac sub-county who is on the run is said to have stabbed his cousin, identified as Moses Ongu Jogo, 38, three times on the neck using a kitchen knife on Monday evening after a fight erupted between them.  

Joel Omunu, an eye witness, said Ongu Jogo of Oyima Ngila clan gave sh2,000  to Onono to hire his smartphone to use for a day. However, trouble started when the phone in question failed to work.

The deceased is said to have demanded for the refund of his money but the brother vehemently refused, leading to a fight that cost his life.

"The deceased had just returned home from Nwoya district, where he owns a farm. The fact that his phone's battery was completely off, he went to borrow his brother's, who demanded sh2000. But later a fight ensued, leading to his death,'' Omunu said.

By the time of filing this report, the body of the deceased had been taken for post-mortem at Aduku Health Centre IV in Kwania district.

The Apac district Police commander, Philip Mukasa, said: "Yes it is true we have received that report and as Police we are searching for the suspect."

The incident comes barely a week after Jimmy Okabo, a resident of Olilim sub-county in Otuke district, was stabbed to death over sh300.

Okabo was reportedly stabbed from the back by his friend only identified as Okello Oje while struggling for the money won in a game of gambling in Adyel division, Lira municipality.

An eye witness, James Obala, said Okabo and Okello Oje were playing cards and the former was supposed to be paid sh300 by Okello who refused to give him the money leading to a fight.

Okabo, however, died on arrival at Lira Regional Referral Hospital as attempts to save his life failed while the suspect has since fled and his whereabouts remain unknown.

The vice-chairperson of Starch Factory B village, Mike Atworo, said the rate of gambling had gone up in the area, especially among the youth.

"The rate at which the young people are engaged in gambling is very high. Recently one person lost an eye in a fight over sh1,000 that was won after playing cards and my office is overwhelmed with cases ranging from theft, and assault due to gambling,'' Atworo said.