By KT Reporter
Kitgum-based event MC and comedian Bonny Awula, popularly known as Lady Sonia, has died following a prolonged battle with injuries allegedly inflicted by a police officer. He passed away on Friday, November 1, 2025, at Lira Regional Referral Hospital.
Sonia, a resident of Ojungu Cell in Akia Ward, Lira East Division, Lira City, had been admitted for months after his condition worsened due to untreated injuries. His ordeal reportedly began on July 15, 2025, at Gates Bar in Kitgum Municipality. Speaking to this reporter while bedridden at Lira Hospital, Sonia recounted the events that changed his life.
“A man came and slapped me from behind. When I turned, I held his neck, not knowing he was a police CID officer. He started pushing me out with force while beating me on my back with a metallic baton, even though I had committed no offense. Later, he arrested me and took me to a cell, where I spent five days behind bars after all my joints were beaten,” he said.
He said the beating left his right arm swollen and paralyzed. “They need money to take me to the theatre for surgery, but I cannot afford the costs or buy the medicine the doctors instructed me to get,” he added.
Sonia was referred to Lira Regional Referral Hospital from Kitgum General Hospital on August 5, 2025, after medical officers concluded he required urgent specialized care. His mother and sister joined him two weeks later to provide support.
His sister, Molly Akello, told this reporter before his death that Sonia was in severe pain. “The condition of my brother was very bad. He was in great pain following the torture by the unidentified police officer under the Criminal Investigation Department. Parts of his arm were slowly rotting due to the injuries. He was due for surgery, but it may have been too late,” she said.
Benson Mwaka, a human rights defender with the Human Rights Center Uganda in Kitgum, said the details on Sonia’s police bond were scanty and only marked as “State bond.” “The case is tricky, but once Sonia recovers, he will be accompanied by a team from the Uganda Human Rights Commission to handle the matter,” Mwaka noted. Unfortunately, Sonia never recovered.
When contacted, Aswa East Police spokesperson IP Joe Oloya initially declined to comment, saying, “I have nothing to say on that since there is no report made. I don’t want blame games here.” He later added via WhatsApp, “It’s a matter of fact, and with evidence, everything will be handled because no one is above the law.”
Wilson Okwonga, the Vice Chairperson of Central Division in Kitgum Municipality, confirmed that the security committee had received information about the alleged torture and would issue a statement after preliminary findings.
Sonia’s sister, Akello, urged the authorities to act swiftly and transparently. “We’re calling on law enforcement and relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances that led to his death. We want those responsible for his assault held accountable. No one should be above the law,” she said.
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