A shocking double tragedy struck Agago District on November 13 after a 28-year-old farmer allegedly stole a firearm from a nearby army detachment and used it to kill his wife and injure two of her sisters, authorities have reported.
The suspect, John Adwel, a resident of Tekato Village in Lira-Kato Sub-County, is said to have fatally shot his wife, Florence Akello, 25, before riding back home on a motorcycle and taking his own life.
Her two younger sisters, Mirriam Amolo (16) and Esther Lawino (15), were also shot during the incident and are currently receiving treatment at Dr Ambrosoli Memorial Hospital Kalongo.
According to local leaders, Adwel had been away from home for about three months. When he returned on November 13, tensions quickly escalated.
“He found his wife grazing a cow and followed her with a stick. During the confrontation, he struck the baby she was carrying on her back. Later, he used a gun to kill his wife and then himself,” said Alexander Okidi, the District Councilor for Lira-Kato Sub-County.
The couple reportedly had two children but had separated earlier due to domestic conflicts.
Police confirmed that Adwel was not a member of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). At the scene, investigators recovered his motorcycle — registration UFS 478 R — along with two spent cartridges.
The firearm used in the killings had been assigned to Private Joshua Kakuru, 28, who has since been arrested. In addition, two civilians and another soldier have been detained to assist with ongoing inquiries, according to Capt. Edrin Mawanda, Public Information Officer for the UPDF 5th Division.
“The UPDF and Uganda Police Force assure the public that a comprehensive investigation is underway,” Capt. Mawanda said.
This incident adds to a troubling pattern of gun-related fatalities involving UPDF-issued weapons in East Acholi since 2024, where seven civilians have so far lost their lives. Previous cases involved mistaken identity during livestock protection operations, enforcement of curfew orders, and personal disputes.
Capt. Mawanda expressed regret over the recurring incidents and urged civilians never to attempt disarming soldiers on duty.
The Agago shooting has triggered a joint probe into how Adwel gained access to a military-issued weapon and the events that led to the deadly attack.