Amolatar police Investigate Tragic Murder of 4- year -old Boy, Suspect at Large

Amolatar Police Investigate Tragic Murder of 4-Year-Old Boy, Suspect at Large

AMOLATAR, UGANDA – Police in Amolatar District have launched a full-scale murder investigation following the tragic discovery of the body of a four-year-old boy, Ojede Ivan, who was found partially buried in a bush near his home. A suspect, identified as 20-year-old Epoke Moris, is currently at large, prompting a manhunt by authorities.

The incident, which has shocked the community of Kibugu Village, Alwala Parish, Nalubwoyo Sub-County, was reported by Ojede Samu, a 44-year-old resident and a relative of the deceased. SP Jimmy Patrick Okema, the Public Relations Officer for North Kyoga Region, confirmed the commencement of the investigation.

According to the police statement, young Ojede Ivan was last seen on October 29, 2025, between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM. He had accompanied his two elder brothers, Orech Mathew (13) and Ocol Hamson (9), to take their family animals to a nearby lake for water. On the way, his brothers reportedly sent him back home due to the distance, but he never arrived.

An immediate search was initiated by the family and neighbors but proved unsuccessful on the first day. The following day, October 30, 2025, during continued search efforts, Ojede Ivan’s body was discovered in a nearby bush. The scene was grim; the body was found partially buried under fresh soil, with natural flowers placed near it.

Officers from Amolatar Central Police Station swiftly responded to the scene, supported by a canine unit from Dokolo CPS and homicide detectives. The police dog proved instrumental, leading investigators approximately one kilometer from the crime scene directly to the home of the alleged suspect, Epoke Moris, also a resident of Kibugu Village.

Statements have been recorded from the reporting party, Ojede Samu, and the deceased’s mother. Authorities also recovered a hoe, believed to have been used in digging and burying the body, about 95 meters from where Ojede Ivan was found. The body has since been transported to Amolatar H/C IV mortuary for a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.

Preliminary findings indicate that the deceased was kidnapped on his way home. However, the motive behind this heinous act remains undetermined at this early stage of the investigation.

SP Jimmy Patrick Okema expressed the police’s deepest regret over the incident, describing it as “very unfortunate.” He assured the public of the police’s commitment, stating, “as police we promise to follow this to its final conclusion.”

A manhunt for Epoke Moris is currently underway as police intensify efforts to apprehend him and bring him to justice.