14 Arrested for Torching School in Child Murder Protest

14 people have been arrested in Soroti City for looting and setting ablaze a section of Jozan Nursery and Primary School. 
On Thursday, enraged residents from Soroti City protested the decision by the court to allow seven suspects to appear via Zoom for the mention of their murder case instead of being produced physically in court. 

The suspects were arrested in connection with the death of a pupil, Joan Faith Apio. 

Angry residents set ablaze a section of Jozan Nursery and Primary School in protest against the failure to produce the murder suspects in court. 

The suspects are Suzan Vivian Ariokot Okedi, 38, and her husband Joseph Okedi who are the directors of Jozan Nursery and Primary School, James Edoket the Head teacher, and five others.

Yesterday, the Grade One Magistrate, Kibirige Apollo Kasujja, adjourned the case to March 20, 2025, after the suspects appeared via Zoom. The magistrate informed the packed court that the suspects could not be produced physically because of the sensitivity of the case. 

Apio was allegedly killed in a brutal child sacrifice ritual.

Immediately after the adjournment, several people took to the streets, and others ran to Jozan School and torched the headteacher’s office, school canteen, store, and dormitories, expressing dissatisfaction with the handling of the case. 

Angel Eveline Akol, the mother of Joan Faith Apio, says she wants to see the suspects stand trial over her child’s murder.

Damalie Nachuha, the Regional Police Commander (RPC) for East Kyoga, says that several of those arrested for torching the school were found in possession of looted school property.