By KT Reporter
Solomon Opio, 27, a resident of Barolam village in Lalogi Sub-County, Omoro District has taken his own life in a suspected suicide inside the “Yesu En Yoo” Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) Church. His lifeless body was found dangling inside the church in Omoro Town Council on March 24, 2025.
His mother, Caroline Akello stumbled on the body while searching for his son after running away from home the previous evening. According to Akello, her son had been acting strangely leading up to the tragedy. She said that on March 22, 2025, Opio began displaying signs of mental distress and claimed that he was being followed by people armed with manchettes demanding he leave.
Concerned about his well-being, Akello attempted to talk to him about his struggles on March 23, but Opio fled their home later that evening and sought refuge in the church where he often prayed. The following morning, Akello went to the church in search of her son where she found his lifeless body hanging inside the church.
Akello immediately reported the incident to local leaders, who later contacted Omoro Central Police Station (CPS). A case of suspected suicide was registered and detectives visited the scene of the crime. David Ongom Mudong, the Aswa West Region Police Spokesperson confirmed that relevant witnesses were interviewed and statements collected.
He said that the body was later handed over to the family for burial as per their request. Dr. Benjamin Wungala, a mental health expert from Gulu Regional Referral Hospital expressed concern about the lack of mental health resources in rural areas.
“Mental illness requires continuous treatment, psychosocial support, and proper caregiving,” he said in an interview with URN. “Sadly, many caregivers are overwhelmed and lack the necessary knowledge to manage mental health conditions, leading to tragedies like this.”
Dr Wungala urged the community to recognize early signs of mental distress and seek help before situations escalate. According to the Uganda Police Force’s Annual Crime Report 2024, there were 218 cases of attempted suicide registered. However, in Uganda, suicide isn’t legally classified as a crime, but attempted suicide is-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
