Police in Uganda’s Oyam District are searching for a man suspected of assaulting his wife, leading to her death. The incident has raised concerns about domestic violence and access to healthcare in the region.
Sam Odongo, 28, a resident of Ngai Sub-county in Oyam District, allegedly assaulted his wife, Sarah Angom, at their home in Omac Parish in the early hours of August 8, 2024. Angom suffered severe injuries and died on August 29 after failing to receive adequate medical care.
Jimmy Anywar, the LC3 chairperson for Ngai Sub-county, reported that Angom had been found tied with a rope and severely injured. She was initially taken to Ngai Police Post, where Odongo was arrested and detained.
Odongo was later released on police bond after the family agreed he should be allowed to seek treatment for his wife. However, according to Anywar, Odongo left Angom at Ngai Health Centre III and disappeared.
The victim was subsequently referred to Aboke Health Centre IV in Kole District due to the severity of her injuries. A further referral to Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala was recommended, but the family could not afford transportation costs.
North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema stated that medical documents indicated Angom had suffered complications affecting her uterus and anus. Okema added that a post-mortem report suggested the use of objects in the assault.
“The file has already reached the office of the district CID, and the matter has been taken up,” Okema said. He noted that the police only learned of the case on Monday, despite the incident occurring nearly a month earlier.
The case has highlighted issues of domestic violence in the region and the challenges faced by victims in accessing timely and adequate healthcare.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about Odongo’s whereabouts to come forward as the investigation continues.
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