By Our Reporter 

Serere District — Police in Serere District have arrested the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the popular Step Man Business and a primary school teacher as investigations continue into the death of a Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier whose body was found hanging from a tree in a school compound.

The suspects have been identified as Amukun Stephen, the CEO of the well-known Step Man Business in Serere District, and Mercy Iyogil, a teacher at Olio Primary School. The two are currently in police custody to assist with investigations into the death of Lance Corporal Michael Ojakol, also known as Ojakoro.

According to the South Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, ASP Stephen Mukombe, detectives are investigating the case as a suspected murder following preliminary findings from a postmortem examination.

"Our territorial police in Serere District are still investigating the murder case of L/CPL Michael Ojakol, and so far two suspects have been arrested to assist with investigations," ASP Mukombe said in a statement released on Monday.

Police reports indicate that Ojakol, who was attached to the 150 Artillery Brigade and deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, had returned home to Agoltom Village in Serere District while on pass leave.

Investigators say the soldier allegedly had a disagreement with his girlfriend, Mercy Iyogil, on the evening of June 3 over issues related to mistrust in their relationship. The dispute was reportedly referred to the head teacher's office at Olio Primary School, where it was mediated and resolved.

According to police, Iyogil allegedly gave Ojakol Shs100,000 to facilitate his return to his duty station after the meeting.

However, on the morning of June 3, Ojakol's body was discovered hanging from a mango tree within the school's gardens by a local resident identified as Dominique Oba.

The incident was reported to Serere Central Police Station, prompting detectives to visit and document the scene before transferring the body to Serere Hospital for a postmortem examination.

ASP Mukombe revealed that preliminary postmortem findings suggest possible foul play. Investigators believe the soldier may have been killed before his body was suspended on the tree. The body was also reportedly found tied several times, raising further suspicions that the scene may have been staged.

Authorities have pledged to provide further updates as detectives continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the soldier's death as the case remains under active investigation.