24-year-old man arrested for burning houses in Oyam district

27 December 2024, 9:00 am

By Eman Yonah Oruk and Deogracias Opio Okori

A 24-year-old muscular man has been arrested in Ager Oket B village, Iceme subcounty, Oyam district, for allegedly burning people’s houses.

Confirming the incident on Thursday, December 26, 2024, Anthony Oni, the area LC1 chairperson, identified the suspect as Omara Ambrose, a resident of Ager Oket B village in Angweta parish, Iceme subcounty, Oyam district.

Oni described Omara as a notorious hooligan in the area, known for his barbaric acts such as theft, alcoholism, and drug abuse.

He also noted that Omara had, on several occasions, impersonated a witch doctor, claiming to prophesy people’s social and spiritual problems. He allegedly used a very long cow horn as regalia for his shrine to manipulate people.

Preliminary reports indicate that the fire caused damages estimated at over 1 million Ugandan shillings, destroying two houses belonging to Mr. Atim Dickson and another two belonging to Ongom Simon. The fire also resulted in the loss of 71 chickens and 600,000 Ugandan shillings.

After the incident, Omara was apprehended by locals and found with tools, including a spear and a long cow horn. He was handed over to police at Oyam Central Police Station under reference number SD 13/14/26/12/2024.