Those arrested include thirty-three year-old Charles Ojok who is the bridegroom and his fifteen-year-old bride who is a primary six pupil at Oloyotong Primary School in Amuru district. The bride cannot be named because she is a minor.
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Michael Lakony the Amuru district chairperson
Eight people have been arrested in Amuru district for marrying
off a fifteen-year-old girl to a thirty-three-year-old man.
Those arrested include thirty-three year-old Charles Ojok who is the bridegroom and his fifteen-year-old bride who is a primary six pupil at Oloyotong Primary School in Amuru district. The bride cannot be named because she is a minor.
The others suspectd under custody are Eveline Aciro who is the mother to the
teenage girl and the girl`s uncle identified as Nyeko Abuja.
Other arrested relatives who were accomplices to the
traditional marriage include John Okwir who is an uncle to the bridegroom,
Elnato Kibwota, Joseph Komakech, Wilberforce Okwonga. Others still at large.
They were arrested on Saturday afternoon from
Oloyotong Village in Ogungedi Parish, Amuru Sub County while holding a party
for the successful traditional marriage that took place on Friday evening.
According to reports obtained by this reporter, Ojok and his
relatives on Friday evening paid dowry and some unspecified amount to the
family of the teenage girl in exchange for her hand in marriage.
The family of the girl reportedly accepted the request on
Friday evening and handed over the girl to the family of the man for marriage
as it is done traditionally in the Acholi culture.
A close source in the family who asked for anonymity said
that on Saturday afternoon the two families while at the home of the teenage girl
in Oloyotong Village, Ogungedi Parish organized a party to celebrate the successful
traditional marriage before the girl could go to her new home.
However, Michael Lakony, the Amuru district chairperson said
that the police and district authorities were notified of the illegal marriage
prompting them to rush to the scene on Saturday where they and arrested the purported
couple, their parents and relatives who were part of the organization.
They are all being detained at Otwee Police Station in Otwee
Town Council. The man and his family members had travelled from their home in
Koch in Nwoya district.
Apollo Okello, the Amuru district Secretary for Education
told URN that the teenage girl is a primary six pupil of Oloyotong Primary
School who grew up from her uncle`s place.
Her uncle who reportedly masterminded the marriage plans is
still on the run.
Okello decried rising cases of teenage pregnancies and
early marriages in the district, something he attributes to poor parenting,
love for money and domestic disputes.
ends
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