A somber mood has engulfed Serere Town Council after the gruesome murder of Abiro Rebecca Viola, a Senior Three student of Serere Township Secondary School.
The incident, which occurred on last night, has sent shockwaves throughout the community, highlighting the alarming rise of gender-based violence in the area.
According to Mathew Emeru, the LCI of Township Cell Kakus Ward, Serere Town Council, the deceased was found dead under unclear circumstances.
The deceased is a born of Akuja Parish in Kyere Sub County.
While details of the incident are still scarce, police are yet to issue an official statement.
This tragic incident marks the latest in a string of murders targeting women in Serere.
The community is reeling in shock, with many calling for urgent action to address the escalating violence.
The murder of Abiro Rebecca Viola has raised concerns about the safety and security of women and girls in Serere.
Some residents are demanding that authorities take concrete steps to prevent such incidents and ensure justice for victims and their families.
“We are deeply disturbed by the increasing cases of violence against women in our community,” said Emeru.
“We urge the police and other relevant authorities to investigate this matter thoroughly and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Another resident said, “We cannot sit back and watch our daughters being killed. Authorities must act swiftly to apprehend those responsible and put an end to these horrific crimes.”
Serere District has seen an alarming increase in cases of gender-based violence, particularly against women and young girls.
Reports indicate a disturbing pattern of attacks, many of which remain unresolved.
Local leaders and human rights activists have repeatedly called for urgent interventions to curb the trend.
For instance, in July 2024, Women and Girls Rights Advocacy-Uganda (WAGRAU) reported that within a single month, at least four women were murdered by their estranged partners in the district.
Statistics from Serere Health Center IV are equally distressing.
Between January 21 and May 31, 2024, the facility recorded 77 cases of sexual assault and 137 instances of physical violence against females.
These numbers underscore a deeply rooted problem that requires immediate and comprehensive intervention.
Executive Director of WAGRAU Deborah Akello stressed the urgent need to tackle break-up violence and ensure the safety and rights of women and girls within the community.
She pointed out that the culture of impunity and inadequate law enforcement have emboldened perpetrators, making it imperative for authorities to enforce laws stringently and protect vulnerable individuals.
The body of the deceased has been taken to Serere HCIV for Postmortem.
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