Police in Serere District have arrested a primary school teacher in connection with the death of her boyfriend, a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier whose body was discovered hanging from a tree within a school compound.
The suspect, Mercy Iyogil, a teacher at Olio Primary School, is being held as detectives investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Michael Ojakol, also known as Ojakoro.
According to Stephen Mukombe, Ojakol was attached to the 150th Artillery Brigade and was serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo before returning home on pass leave to Agoltom Village in Serere District.
Police investigations indicate that on the evening of June 2, Ojakol and Iyogil became involved in a disagreement reportedly linked to allegations of infidelity. The matter was later referred to the school’s head teacher for mediation.
Mukombe said the discussion was held in the head teacher’s office and was reportedly resolved. Following the meeting, Iyogil allegedly gave Ojakol Shs100,000 to facilitate his journey back to his duty station.
After leaving the school premises, Ojakol was believed to have departed. However, the following morning, June 3, his body was found hanging from a mango tree in the school gardens.
The discovery was made by Dominique Oba, a local resident, who alerted authorities.
Police officers and crime scene investigators later visited the scene, collected evidence, and transported the body to Serere Hospital for a postmortem examination.
According to Mukombe, preliminary findings from the postmortem raised concerns that the soldier may have been killed before his body was suspended from the tree.
“The postmortem report indicates that the deceased was killed before his body was suspended on the tree. The body had also been tied several times,” he said.
Investigators have since detained Iyogil to assist with inquiries as police continue gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.
Authorities have urged members of the public with information that could assist the investigation to report to Serere Central Police Station.
Police say inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Ojakol’s death remain ongoing.