A 25-year-old man in Omoting Village, Akura Parish, Angetta Sub-county in Alebtong District has been arrested for allegedly setting 29 houses on fire to avenge the death of his father.
It is said that his actions were propelled by the murder of his father, John Steven Eyano, 70, a resident of the same locality. Eyano was allegedly beaten to death by the area LCI vice-chairperson for the allegations of stealing three goats last week.
The man’s father was reportedly intercepted by the area chairperson by the name Godfrey Okello together with his team when he was coming from a nearby swamp where he had taken his animals for grazing.
“It’s alleged that on February 28, 2022, the vice-chairperson LC1 of Omoting Village in the name of Geoffrey Okello and his team intercepted Eyano while coming back from a nearby swamp where he had taken his animals for grazing,” Jimmy Patrick Okema, the North Kyoga regional police spokesperson, said.
According to the report filed by Daily Monitor, the village chairperson together with his men wanted the deceased to follow them so that they can sit down and negotiate on what they will do.
Eyano reportedly refused to follow the men for a negotiation, something that angered them. They then beat him up very badly and he died instantly.
“It’s reported that the vice-chairperson and his team claimed the deceased had stolen three she-goats, and they demanded he move with them to where they wanted the matter to be resolved. However, Eyano had no idea and he could not move with them, “Monitor wrote.
Police said this then forced Okello to order his colleagues to beat up the elderly who died instantly.
“The following night, police received a report that the son of the deceased, due to anger and revenge, went and torched about 29 grass-thatched houses. When police were informed, our team responded immediately to the scene. He tried to run away but police arrested him and currently, he is being detained at Alebtong Central Police Station,” Police said.