DOKOLO, December 25, 2025 – Police in Dokolo District have apprehended two suspects following the brutal murder of an 18-year-old girl in Agwata Forest. The victim, identified as Angwech Mariam from Alit village, Lira District, was reportedly killed after being attacked while collecting firewood.
According to a statement released by North Kyoga Region Police Spokesperson SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, the incident occurred on the morning of December 24, 2025. Angwech Mariam had gone to the forest with a colleague, Apio Vicky, when they were accosted by an unidentified man.
The assailant allegedly demanded payment for the firewood and threatened sexual violence. He then grabbed Angwech Mariam and dragged her deeper into the pine forest. Apio Vicky managed to escape, raising an alarm. She later mobilised boda-boda riders at a nearby trading centre who returned to the scene, only to discover Angwech Mariam's lifeless body with severe cut wounds to her throat.
"The matter was reported to Agwata Town Council Police Station for police action," stated SP Okema.
A swift investigation, spearheaded by the District CID Dokolo under D/ASP Odoch Mark Origa, was launched. A police dog (K9) from Dokolo Central Police Station was deployed, tracking a scent to a camp housing casual labourers for China Forest International Development (CFID).
This led to the arrest of two suspects who are Okello Bonny, aged 18, a casual labourer with CFID and resident of Abenya B cell, Agwata Town Council and Ojungu Agad, aged 17, also a casual labourer with CFID from the same location.
The crime scene was processed by scenes of crime officer D/AIP Obura Stephen. Angwech Mariam's body was conveyed to Dokolo Health Centre IV mortuary for a postmortem examination.
SP Okema condemned the crime, calling it "a very primitive act." He assured the public, "We shall investigate this matter until the perpetrators face the law. We call for calmness and pledge our commitment to seeing that justice prevails for the deceased and bereaved family."
The suspects are currently in custody as police continue their investigations. A case file of murder by cutting has been registered.
