Children discover decomposed body in Arum, Agago

6 September 2026, 20:39

By Ekel Bonny Daniel

Police in Agago District have launched investigations into the discovery of an unidentified decomposed body, believed to be that of a man, in a bush in Arum Sub-county, Agago West Constituency.

The body was discovered on Sunday, September 6, 2026, about two kilometres from the nearest home in Watna Village, Kazikazi Parish. It is believed to be that of a man aged about 20 years or older and is suspected to have been lying in the bush for approximately three weeks.

According to Watna Village LCI Chairperson Okwera Peter Ebuye, he was alerted by children after they discovered the decomposed body while hunting in the bush.

Okwera says the children were initially attracted by a strong smell and suspected that a cow had died in the area. However, after moving closer to establish the source of the smell, they discovered a human body and immediately returned to the village to notify him.

He says after receiving the report, he alerted the Arum Sub-county LCIII Chairperson, the Officer in Charge of the Arum Police Outpost and members of the community, who accompanied him to the scene. Okwera says the body had decomposed severely and could not be immediately identified.

He has urged residents to remain vigilant and called on anyone with information that could help identify the deceased to come forward and assist police with their investigations.

Arum Sub-county LCIII Chairperson Okot Sunday says he received the information from the village leadership and immediately contacted police at the Arum Police Outpost.

Okot says police officers, local leaders and community members visited the scene and confirmed the discovery before the matter was communicated to the office of the Agago Resident District Commissioner.

He says authorities are appealing to residents to report any missing relatives, as this could help establish the identity of the deceased.

Okot Sunday added that no one in the village has so far reported a missing person, urging residents to provide any information that could help police establish the identity of the deceased.

Acan Grace Okidi, a resident of Watna Village, says the discovery has shocked the community because no one in the area is known to have reported a missing relative.

Acan says residents are also uncertain whether the deceased was from Arum Sub-county, another part of Agago District or a neighbouring area.

She has called for a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and ensure justice for the deceased.

Agago District LCV Chairperson Otto Wilson has confirmed receiving information about the incident and appealed to members of the public who have lost relatives to contact police and provide information that could assist in identifying the body.

Agago Resident District Commissioner Nock Kidega Nabinson says the matter is now under police investigation.

He says he will engage leaders in the Acholi and neighbouring Lango sub-regions to establish whether there are reports of missing persons that could help identify the deceased.

The Officer in Charge of the Arum Police Outpost, Okot Willis, says a postmortem examination will be conducted to establish the cause of death and provide further information as investigations continue.