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Gulu headteacher accused of beating alleged garden thief to death

21 September 2026, 11:35 am

An image of a handcuffed suspect.

By Agness Agilo

Police in Gulu District are investigating a murder case in which a primary school headteacher is accused of allegedly beating to death a man he found stealing from his garden.

The suspect is Paul Lakony, the headteacher of Pagik Primary School, who is in custody at Gulu Central Police Station as investigations continue.

It is alleged that on September 16, 2026, Lakony went to his cassava garden and found Denis Onen uprooting fresh cassava. An argument over the alleged theft reportedly turned into a physical scuffle, during which Lakony allegedly beat Onen, leading to his death.

The District Police Commander for Gulu, Superintendent of Police Fred Bogere, confirmed the arrest to Speak FM, saying Lakony is being held on allegations of murder as investigations continue.

Fred Bogere, Superintendent of Police and Gulu District Police Commander, confirms the arrest.

Following the arrest, there were concerns about learning at Pagik Primary School. However, the Gulu District Inspector of Schools, Ms Jackline Akello, told our reporter that the situation at the school is calm, with the deputy headteacher now in charge and lessons progressing normally.

Jackline Akello, Gulu District Inspector of Schools, speaks about normal learning at Pagik Primary School.
Investigator in protective suit walking through crime scene by the river side.

The incident highlights concerns over mob justice and individuals taking the law into their own hands over alleged petty theft. While crop theft is a serious concern for farmers in Gulu, police have repeatedly cautioned the public to report such cases to the authorities rather than resorting to violence, which can turn a theft allegation into a case of murder.