Oyam woman, 27, stabs co-wife to death in fight over jackfruit
People gathered at the scene where Jacky Abia was stabbed from at Gwengapeta Trading Center on March 20, 2025. PHOTO/ SANTO OJOK
What you need to know:
- According to police, a total of 14,073 cases of Domestic Violence were reported to Police in 2024 compared to 14,681 cases reported in 2023 thus giving a 4 per cent decrease in the volume of Domestic Violence registered countrywide
Police in Oyam District, Northern Uganda have detained a 27-year-old woman on murder charges after she allegedly stabbed her co-wife to death in a fight over a jackfruit.
Maureen Auma, a resident of Gwengapeta Cell in Loro Town Council was arrested after she attacked Jacky Abia, a mother of four, at her jackfruit stall at Gwengapeta Trading Centre on Thursday, March 20.
Their husband Mr Peter Opio was also arrested and are both detained at Loro Police Station as investigations continue.
The area LCI chairperson, Mr James Otim said Abia, separated from Opio last year following a misunderstanding.
“They separated about seven months ago after some misunderstandings. Opio then took on Auma as his wife but she started mistreating Abia’s children. Opio’s clan heads however, convinced Abia to return and take care of her kids. She was given a new home where she has been living with her children. Yesterday, she went to her former home/compound and harvested a jackfruit to sell at the trading centre. It must have infuriated Auma who trailed and confronted Abia at her stall. A fight ensued before Auma stabbed Abia with a knife. She died instantly after excessive bleeding,” Mr Otim told this reporter on Friday.
Mr Robert Ekwaro, the LC3 chairperson of Loro Town Council condemned Auman for the attack.
“She had already cut the jackfruit into pieces and was already selling it at the trading centre when Auma confronted her. They started fighting before she was stabbed with a knife,” Mr Robert Ekwaro, the LC3 chairperson of Loro Town Council said.
Oyam District Police Commander, Mr Job Mutegeki, said detectives are still investigating the case.
Police stats
According to police, a total of 14,073 cases of Domestic Violence were reported to Police in 2024 compared to 14,681 cases reported in 2023 thus giving a 4 per cent decrease in the volume of Domestic Violence registered countrywide. Additionally, a total of 4,329 cases (representing 1.9 per cent of the total reported cases in the year) reported to Police by the end of 2024 were due to homicides, compared to 4,248 cases reported in 2023, giving a 1.9 per cent increase in Homicide cases registered countrywide.
