By KT Reporter
Police in Pader District have launched a search for 33-year-old Mark Ojok, who reportedly jumped into the River Aswa early Wednesday morning in an apparent act of suicide. Ojok, a peasant farmer from Googwiri Village, Kalawinya Parish, in Angagura Sub-county, is suspected to have drowned after leaping from Aswa Bridge at around 1 a.m.
According to Aswa East Police Spokesperson, Joe Oloya, Ojok had traveled with three friends — Richard Onek, Bazil Ogenrwot, and Samuel Oyoo — to Lapuda Trading Centre in Gulu District earlier in the day to sell charcoal. After selling their goods, the group began drinking and stayed out late into the night.
Oloya said that while the group was returning home, Ojok moved ahead of his colleagues and, upon reaching the bridge, climbed the guardrail and jumped into the water. “Attempts by his colleagues to save him failed due to the strong current,” Oloya stated.
Police have since opened a case of suspected suicide by drowning at Angagura Police Post, while officers and residents continue to search for the missing body. Community leaders have linked the incident to possible financial and domestic distress. Stephen Okello Freddy, the Angagura Sub-county Chairperson, said Ojok had been complaining about debts of about Shs1 million owed by friends and was emotionally troubled after his wife left following repeated domestic violence incidents.
Okello urged residents facing similar challenges to seek counseling and support through community and health offices to prevent further loss of life. He also called for increased mental health awareness and cautioned against alcohol abuse as the search continues along the river.
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