SOROTI– A village chairperson survived lynching in Soroti Municipality on Wednesday for allegedly stealing a knicker from a hang line.
It is alleged that Michael Ogaram, the LC1 chairman for Akisim Cell 2, took the yellow knicker from a hang line inside the compound that he shares with other families.
The owner of the knicker, a 14-year-old girl, said they she had put it out to dry the previous night but could not trace it in the morning.
The residents then launched a search in the houses before the missing nicker was found in Ogaram’s house.
Mr Joseph Ochom, the girl’s father, said when they demanded the chairman to hand over the knicker, he refused, which forced the residents to forcibly enter his house.
Ogaram then jumped out of the house through the back door and fled, prompting a chase.
Police then arrested him. Mr Stephen Ojok, OC station, Soroti Central Police Station, confirmed the arrest of the LC1 chairman. He also added that they cannot rule out the possibility he was sleeping with the monitor. Police officers later vested the scene of crime in the afternoon as investigations into the matter continue.
Mr Stephen Olinga, one of the locals, asked the chairman to resign, saying he has become a disgrace to the society.
This is not the first time an LC chairperson is arrested over crime. About two weeks ago, Police in Pakwach district, with the help of the local community, arrested the LCI chairperson of Wanglei A village in Pakwach Town Council in possession of two Pangolins at his home.
Mr Michael Okumu was arrested with John Odoki, a resident of Purongo village in Nwoya district who is alleged to be a potential buyer of the Pangolins. While at Pakwach central police station, Okumu denied the claims of attempting to sell the Pangolins for himself, arguing that he was merely acting on behalf of a rich businessman in Kampala. But police accused Okumu of abetting the extinction of wildlife in his capacity as an office bearer.