According to Jimmy Patrick Okema, North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, preliminary findings indicate that Acio had a history of mental illness and had previously attempted to harm herself and the baby.
Police in Dokolo District are investigating circumstances under which a woman suspected to be mentally ill set herself ablaze and her 3-month-old baby in a grass-thatched house.
According to Jimmy Patrick Okema, North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, preliminary findings indicate that Lonah Acio had a history of mental illness and had previously attempted to harm herself and the baby, Gertrude Ayika.
Acio’s mental illness allegedly began after she became pregnant while working as a housemaid in Mbale District. After returning home, she gave birth to her baby and continued to struggle with her mental health.
The police investigations indicate that on Tuesday Acio had locked herself and her baby in their house before setting it on fire. The police responded to the scene, conducted a postmortem, and handed over the bodies to relatives for burial.
The mother of the deceased, Angwec Agnes, was taken into police custody for her safety due to allegations from relatives that she was responsible for Acio’s mental illness.
Okema, described the incident as sad, calling upon relatives who have persons with mental illness to always be very close to them to avoid such terrible steps of taking away life.
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Reports obtained from Lira Psychiatric Departments at Lira Regional Referral Hospital indicate that more than 1,500 youths in Lango between 19-36 years suffered from mental illness.
The mental health cases are attributed to depression, excessive alcohol consumption and drug abuse. End:
Solomon Okabo
Freelancer