Orphanage Probed Over Child’s Death

Hudson Apunyo

2 June 2011

Police in Kole District are investigating circumstances under which a 13-year-old Primary Five girl at Otinowa Orphanage died on May 27. The Police commenced the probe following information that the child could have died after alleged torture by fellow students.

For over a week, the school allegedly concealed the incident from relatives, but the matter turned tragic when the girl eventually succumbed to torture wounds and died on Friday.

Conflicting reports

Police details show that earlier information offered to relatives by the school, indicated that Lillian Akot, an orphan, died after suffering from malaria and typhoid fever.

Daily Monitor, however, learnt that the victim’s relatives were not informed about the sickness of the girl until she passed on.

Mr Charles Ogwal Opoo, an uncle to the deceased said: “The school only informed us about Lillian’s death on Friday night. So we want the school to explain why they did not inform us about her sickness earlier.”

Mr Ogwal said the family had arranged burial for Tuesday but a parent near the school tipped them that the girl was tortured and the school had reportedly suspended the boys who tortured her. So they decided to postpone the burial until they get a Police report.

Investigations

Central North Public Relations Officer Henry Alyanga confirmed the girl died at the school and the case is being investigated. “Medical reports indicate there were traces of malaria and typhoid which would not lead to death,” Alyanga said.

He said the police launched investigations on Monday following information from the public that the girl was assaulted. The Police yesterday said they were still waiting for details of the postmortem report which is being carried out at Aboke Health Centre IV in Kole.

Efforts to get information from the orphanage turned futile since the its director was reportedly out of office.

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