By Mike Rwothomio

Police from Ayivu East Police Station in Arua City have arrested John Michael, who is suspected of brutally murdering his wife, Laura Diciru, a 62-year-old nurse and resident of Nyio Cell, Nyio Ward, in Ayivu East Division.

According to a police statement, the incident was reported by Candia Peter, a neighbor of the deceased, who was alerted by a 9-year-old girl living in the same house as Diciru. 

The statement further revealed that the suspect, John Michael, confessed to Candia, allegedly claiming that Diciru "had aborted his baby three years ago."

West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson SP Collins Asea confirmed the incident in a statement. 

"The child alleged that Uncle John had traveled from Soroti on March 20, 2025, arriving home around 4:00 p.m. He engaged in a conversation with Diciru, whom he referred to as his wife, until about 9:00 p.m., when she retired to bed in a separate room," Asea said.

He added, "At around midnight, the girl was awakened by the sound of her grandmother crying for help. Rushing to check, she found Diciru lying dead and bleeding profusely. She immediately sought help from Candia, who alerted other neighbors."

The suspect attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended by locals and taken to Muni University Police Station, where the murder was reported.

Detectives from the homicide desk, along with Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO), led by the Divisional CID Officer, were dispatched to investigate.

 Diciru’s body was retrieved and transported to Arua Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.

The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.

According to the 2023 Police Annual Crime Report, a total of 249 people were killed due to aggravated domestic violence—95 males and 113 females. Additionally, 15,184 individuals were survivors of domestic violence, of whom 10,792 were female.