AMOLATAR, UGANDA – The Territorial Police in Amolatar District have launched a manhunt for a 20-year-old man, Epoke Moris, following the discovery of the body of four-year-old Ojede Ivan in a bush near his home. The child had been reported missing a day earlier.
The grim discovery was made on October 30, 2025, after an intensive search by the community and law enforcement. According to a statement released by SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, the Public Relations Officer for the North Kyoga Region, the boy’s body was found “partially buried under fresh soil, with natural flowers placed near the body.”
The tragic sequence of events began on the evening of October 29, 2025. The deceased, along with his two elder brothers—Orech Mathew (13) and Ocol Hamson (9)—had taken the family animals to the lake for water. Due to the long distance, the older siblings sent young Ivan back home alone. He never arrived.
An immediate search was launched but proved futile. The search continued the following day, leading to the heartbreaking discovery in a nearby bush.
The investigation saw a multi-unit response. "A canine unit later led police to the home of the suspect, approximately 1 km from the crime scene," stated SP Okema. Officers from Amolatar CPS, supported by canine units from Dokolo CPS and homicide detectives, processed the scene.
Key evidence was recovered, including a hoe believed to have been used to dig the shallow grave, found 95 meters from where the body was discovered.
The suspect, Epoke Moris, a resident of the same Kibugu Village, Alwala Parish, Nalubwoyo Sub-County, is currently at large. Preliminary findings indicate that the deceased was kidnapped on his way home, though the motive for the killing remains unknown.
The body of Ojede Ivan has been transported to Amolatar Health Centre IV mortuary for a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
In his statement, SP Okema described the incident as "very unfortunate" and assured the public that the police are committed to pursuing the case to its final conclusion. The hunt for Epoke Moris continues as the community grapples with the shocking loss.
