Man dies after herbal remedy, relatives allegedly lynch suspected healer

Police in Kole District are investigating the killing of a 50-year-old traditional healer who was allegedly beaten to death in a suspected revenge attack after a 22-year-old man died from consuming herbal concoction she had prepared in a cattle theft case.

The deceased, identified as Mary Oming, a resident of Dibadi Cell in Western Ward A, Akalo Town Council, was attacked on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at around 5pm by relatives of the late Ivan Ecom, 22.

According to residents, the confrontation stems from an incident two weeks earlier in which Oming was hired by a woman identified as Mary Ayo to help identify suspects who had allegedly stolen two cows.

It is alleged that Oming prepared a herbal mixture which was administered to two suspects, including Ecom and another man identified as Selestino Ogoro. Ecom reportedly died after consuming the substance, while Ogoro survived.

Moses Odyek, a resident of Akalo Town Council, told Monitor that the incident triggered anger among Ecom’s relatives, who later mobilised and attacked the herbalist.

“The two cows were stolen from her home, then she hired this native doctor who made the suspects drink the herbal concoction. Ecom died and Ogoro survived,” he said.

Police said the attackers also set ablaze two grass-thatched houses and damaged a motorcycle, registration number UFH 274E, during the violence. The suspects remain at large.

North Kyoga Region Police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema confirmed the incident, saying investigations have commenced and a manhunt is ongoing.

“The hunt for the suspects is underway,” he said, adding that more details would be provided in a scheduled briefing.

The body of the deceased was taken to Lira Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination, alongside that of the deceased youth.

The incident comes amid rising concerns over mob action and revenge attacks in parts of northern Uganda. Authorities have in recent weeks stepped up public awareness campaigns against mob action following the lynching of national rugby player Sydney Gongodyo in Kampala.

Read Next Article