Security forces in the North Kyoga region have escalated efforts to locate Cesar Alaju, a former contestant for the Kole district LC5 chairperson seat, who went missing last week. Alaju, who had expressed interest in running in the 2021 elections on the Uganda People’s Congress ticket but withdrew a few days before the elections, disappeared after a reported family dispute over land.
Family members reported Alaju’s disappearance at the Agege Police post in Bala sub-county, Kole district. Police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema confirmed the search for Alaju and urged relatives to provide information to aid the investigation. The situation became more complicated when Alaju’s family claimed a body, retrieved from Okole swamp in Loro Sub County, Oyam district, was that of the missing man.
The unidentified body, found floating in Okole swamp by a fisherman named Omodi Kalisita, prompted a visit from the police. The body was then taken to Anyeke HCIV for post-mortem and identification. Controversially, Alaju’s relatives allegedly retrieved the body from the mortuary without informing the police, asserting that it belonged to Alaju. However, upon delivery to Alaju’s home in Apelo village, Bala sub-county, it was discovered that the deceased was not Alaju.
Despite the confusion, reports of Alaju’s death circulated on social media. In a twist, Alaju, believed to be missing or dead, sent a text message to a close family member, assuring them of his well-being and mentioning plans to travel abroad with a scheduled flight on Wednesday.
The police were reportedly unaware of the body being taken from the mortuary. Patrick Jimmy Okema expressed the need for calmness, acknowledging the controversy surrounding the matter. Investigations are underway to ascertain the circumstances of the body’s release without police notification.
Okema urged Alaju’s sisters, who claimed to have received a message from him, to share that information promptly with the police to support ongoing investigations.
