By Nathan Eyagu 

Soroti, Uganda - Police in Soroti District have arrested six suspects in connection with the brutal murder of 24-year-old Oliach John Paul, who was fatally stabbed on January 25, 2025, over a long-standing land dispute.

The deceased, a peasant and resident of Akisim Village, Dokolo Parish, Gweri Sub-county, was found dead in a bush along a pathway on the morning of January 26, 2025. According to reports, Oliach had been embroiled in a bitter land wrangle with his grandfather, 97-year-old Eguru Leonard, one of the arrested suspects.

According to reports, the evening of January 25, 2025, at around 7:30 p.m., one of the suspects, 30-year-old Ocen Martin, visited Oliach at his home while he was having supper with his wife. Ocen invited him to attend a disco, and although Oliach initially declined, he later followed Ocen after finishing his meal. He never returned home.

The next morning, his lifeless body was discovered with a deep stab wound to the upper right shoulder. Blood was reportedly oozing from the wound, indicating the use of a sharp object.

Six suspects have been apprehended in connection with the murder and these include:

Ocen Martin, 30, a resident of Akisim Village.

Eceku Julius, 28, a resident of Ookai Village.

Walinta Stephen, 20, a resident of Akisim Village.

Enyalu Musa, 32, a resident of Akisim Village.

Eguru Leonard, 97, the grandfather of the deceased and a resident of Onyamai Village.

Eiru Moses, 35, a resident of Akisim Village.

Preliminary investigations reveal that Eiru Moses, another suspect and the deceased’s uncle, had been threatening to kill Oliach due to their land wrangle.

The incident was reported to Gweri Police Station by Ms. Akiteng Mary, the Local Council I Chairperson for Obuletera Village. Police, led by D/CID/O D/ASP Ojok Richard Tom and SOCO, visited the scene and collected evidence. The body was later taken to Nakatunya City Mortuary for a postmortem examination.

Kyoga Regional Police Commander Damalie Nachuha strongly condemned the murder, calling it an act of lawlessness and urging the public to resolve disputes through lawful means.

"I highly condemn this level of lawlessness. It’s important that matters are settled by the recommended authorities rather than taking someone’s life," she stated.

The suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue. The police have assured the public of their commitment to delivering justice and maintaining law and order in the region.