At least 33 grass thatched huts were yesterday burnt down in what appears to have been a revenge attack in Nwoya districts.
The arson happened shortly after high court in Gulu released on bail one of the five suspects in the arson attack that led to the death of five family members in January.
The burning of the huts came only hours after Justice Vincent Okwanga, the Gulu resident judge released David Livingstone Lakony, on cash bail.
Lakony was arrested together with four other suspects in connection with the death of John Kennedy Oketayot and four members of his family including three of his biological children and his wife, Agness Apio in the early hours of January 6, 2017.
Lakony was set free on Wednesday at 4PM by high court judge on grounds that Lakony is of advanced age. Lakony’s lawyer also argued that his client suffers from hypertension and diabetes and that he needs regular medical care.
Patrick Omia, the State Prosecutor unsuccessful opposed the bail application arguing that that a medical officer from Gulu Central Government Prisons should explain the condition of Lakony while he was in prisons. The judge overruled the prosecutor and granted Lakony bail.
Shortly after Lakony’s release, relatives of John Kennedy Oketayot allegedly went on rampage setting on fire six huts belonging to one of the suspects and 27 other huts believed to be of the kinsmen of Lakony, a prominent businessman in Gulu town.
Police were forced to deploy in the home of Lakony to prevent attacks on his house.
Jimmy Patrick Okema, the Aswa Region Police Spokesperson told Acholi Times that 8 huts were burnt in Kal ‘A’ village, another 16 in Koch Kalang in Amaa parish and another 9 in Lukutu village, all in Koch Goma Sub County in Nwoya district.
Okema said police suspects of the deceased were angered by the court’s decision to release Lakony on bail.
Okema condemned the violent act and urged the relatives to be calm and let police and court do its work.
