Police in Kitgum District have launched investigations into the death of Pastor Fred Lukulala of Calvary Church, who allegedly died by suicide following prolonged domestic conflicts linked to denial of conjugal rights and family misunderstandings.
Pastor Lukulala, a Pentecostal cleric who ministered in Gangdyang village in Kitgum Town and Orom Trading Centre, was found hanging on a mango tree at his farm in Lobiri village, Katwotwo Parish, Orom East Sub-county.
According to police, the body was discovered on Sunday morning by David Lokwang, a worker at the pastor’s farm, who had gone to inspect the maize plantation.
The Aswa East regional police spokesperson, Joe Oloya, confirmed that homicide detectives and scene-of-crime officers visited the area and transported the body to Kitgum General Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.
Local leaders and security officials say the pastor had been battling serious marital disputes for the last two years, mainly revolving around denial of sexual relations and disagreements over family property and farm income.
Reports indicate that the pastor’s wife, a Kenyan national, had separated from him and relocated to Orom Trading Centre after repeated domestic misunderstandings. Despite the separation, tensions between the couple reportedly continued, with accusations of infidelity further escalating the conflict.
Security coordinator Gabriel Otukutipu revealed that the situation worsened on Friday when the wife reportedly stormed the farm and confronted the pastor over allegations of an affair with another woman. The confrontation allegedly turned into a heated quarrel that lasted late into the night.
On Saturday morning, Pastor Lukulala reportedly informed his junior pastor that he would not manage to lead Sunday prayers because he was unwell. Witnesses later saw him moving around the village mobilizing residents to help weed his bean garden the following day.
Before leaving his house, he allegedly wrote the words “It is time up” on the wall using charcoal.
Residents only realized the tragedy on Sunday when they arrived for farm work and found the pastor dead.
Community leaders say the pastor had also been struggling with financial pressure after the collapse of a church-founded school in the area, which further affected his mental wellbeing.
Police say investigations into the incident are still ongoing.
