The ex-wife and children of the former LRA commander Dominic Ongwen on Friday morning survived an arson attack after their house was set ablaze.
The incident happened at 3 am at Forest sub ward in Gulu town.
Florence Ayot, 33, has three children with Dominic Ongwen whose pre-trial just ended at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands.
Ongwen faces 70 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Ayot alleges that the house in which she was sleeping with her three children was set ablaze by a jilted lover
‘‘On sensing heat in the house I tried to run out but the door was closed,’’ Ayot told Acholi Times on Friday.
‘‘I then made an alarm and people came and neigbours opened for me the door,’’ she said.
Ayot sustained minor injuries. Her children escaped unhurt.
According to Ayot, since Ongwen’s surrender and transfer to the ICC her lover has become jealous and abusive.
‘‘The man is threatening to skin me like a rat. Last week he laced our tea with something but good enough my elder daughter saw it and reported it to me,’’ Ayot said.
She said her lover last week smashed the family radio after he found her listening to the pre-trial of Ongwen( (local radios have been broadcasting the just concluded pre-trial).
Ayot said she is now homeless after losing all her property and 500,000 shillings which she had in the house.
Joyce Oryem, the chairman LC1 Forest Sub ward said Ayot has been struggling with numerous challenges since she returned home in 2007.
Oryem said Ayot needs psycho social support to help her cope up with life in the community.
James Asubu, the officer in charge of criminal investigations at Gulu central police said an arson case had been reported to police under file number CRB 368/2016 but added that no arrest has been made.
‘‘We have recorded statement of arson from the complainant but no arrest have been made. Police will carry out an investigation and arrest the culprit,’’ Asubu said.
