Hajji Joe Ogwang, a prominent businessman in Lira city, northern Uganda, has been arrested for allegedly shooting his son, Aaron Okello, dead during a heated altercation at Tipper stage in Kamuswahili Cell. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, unfolded while Ogwang was conducting his daily business. Reports suggest the confrontation arose when Okello demanded money from his father, leading to a struggle.
During the altercation, Okello attempted to disarm his father, prompting Ogwang to fire a bullet that fatally injured his son. Despite being rushed to Lira Medical Center, Okello was pronounced dead upon arrival. Ogwang voluntarily surrendered to the Lira central police station.
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Preliminary findings by North Kyoga police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema indicate that Okello was a UPDF deserter with a history of violence. A recovered pistol and ammunition will be examined to determine if Ogwang legally acquired the weapon.
The deceased’s body awaits a postmortem examination at Lira regional referral hospital’s mortuary. Surprisingly, city residents on social media advocated for Ogwang’s release, claiming his actions prevented violent crimes attributed to Okello. Some alleged the deceased was involved in criminal activities in areas like Central Park and Ireda Shamba.
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Describing Okello as a “violent person,” a former schoolmate recounted his frequent physical altercations, even with school authorities. Nancy Abeja, a hotel owner near Tipper Stage, acknowledged the deceased’s troubled history but criticized the father for taking the law into his own hands.
