A 17-year-old girl in Agago District tragically took her own life following a dispute with her family over a new romantic relationship.
Lillian Akullu was found hanging from the roof of a house by a relative on the evening of June 23, 2025, around 5:00 pm, in Oporoto South Village, Patongo Town Council.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Group and Receive Daily News
Reports reveal that Akullu became deeply distressed after her aunt warned her against pursuing a relationship with a boy from their neighborhood. The disapproval weighed heavily on the teenager, who had recently begun dating the boy.
It is believed that, while alone at home that afternoon, Akullu used a rope commonly employed for tethering goats, tied it to a roof beam, and ended her life.
Police noted no signs of struggle on the body, ruling out foul play.
Mr. Joe Oloya, Aswa East Regional Police Spokesperson, confirmed the incident, stating, “The teenager’s death has been preliminarily classified as suicide by hanging. Our homicide team is continuing investigations to fully understand the circumstances.”
He added, “A suspected suicide case has been opened to facilitate the inquiry. A postmortem was conducted, and the body has been released to the family for burial.”
Initial investigations suggest that the disagreement between Akullu and her aunt, who opposed her romantic involvement, may have been a triggering factor.
Akullu’s death marks the fifth suicide case recorded in the Aswa East Police Region this year, with three occurring in Agago District alone.
In a similar recent incident, on May 11, residents of Labworyem Central Cell in Agago were shocked when 20-year-old mother Sunday Auma died by suicide after a heated argument with her husband over alleged infidelity. She left behind a three-month-old infant.
The Acholi sub-region, heavily affected by decades of LRA insurgency, has seen a troubling rise in suicide cases, linked to factors such as post-traumatic stress disorder, domestic violence, chronic illness, mental health struggles, and land conflicts.
Local elders suggest that the increase may also be connected to unresolved spiritual issues. They believe that many who died during the war were not properly buried, and their restless spirits are impacting survivors. Calls for traditional cleansing rituals have gained support as a means to restore spiritual harmony.
Also Read: Amama Mbabazi’s Daughter Wanted Over Unpaid Shs 450m Loan
