The investigation into the brutal murder of 5-year-old Joan Faith Apio has taken a significant turn as police intensify their search for evidence at Jozan Nursery and Primary School in Soroti.
The arrest of Suzan Vivian Okedi, wife of the school’s director, has heightened scrutiny over the tragic killing, deepening public outrage and demands for justice.
Apio, a Primary One pupil, was found dead under horrifying circumstances, her lifeless body discovered locked in a staff latrine with her throat slashed.
The gruesome murder has sent shockwaves through the local community, raising serious concerns about security in schools, particularly for young children in boarding facilities.
A team of investigators, including Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) and senior detectives from the East Kyoga Regional Police, have revisited the school in an effort to gather more physical evidence.
Regional Police Commander Damalie Nachuha confirmed the latest developments, stating that the school remains sealed off as it is the focal point of ongoing inquiries.
“Police have once more revisited Jozan Nursery and Primary School to search for physical evidence that could shed light on this disturbing incident. The school has been closed and sealed off as investigations continue,” Nachuha said.
The police’s renewed efforts come amid growing pressure from the public, with parents and local leaders demanding accountability and urgent measures to ensure the safety of children in educational institutions.
Sources close to the investigation reveal that detectives are exploring multiple angles, including whether the murder was premeditated and if there was an attempt to cover up the crime.
On February 10, police arrested Suzan Vivian Okedi, the wife of school director Joseph Okedi, along with his brother, whose identity has not been disclosed.
Suzan, Okedi, school headteacher David Kadimba, matron Osula Adongo, and a teacher have all been taken into custody to assist with the investigation.
“We will arraign the suspects in court at an appropriate time after conducting thorough investigations into this matter,” Nachuha said.
She added that investigators would need to reconstruct the scene since the body was not recovered by the police.
The officers inspected the latrine where the lifeless body of Joan Faith Apio was discovered.
They also examined the nearby kitchen, which is adjacent to the latrine.
Detectives were seen taking photographs and measuring the distance between the kitchen and the latrine as part of their investigation.
According to the deceased’s mother, the postmortem report revealed that the sternocleidomastoid muscle had been cut three times, exposing the oesophagus and trachea.
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