A 35-year-old man identified only as Okumu committed suicide by hanging himself in Abara in Eastern Equatoria State’s Magwi County on Sunday.
According to sources, the tragic turn of events occurred after the deceased’s family members held a meeting and accused him of belonging to the Illuminati and sacrificing family members in exchange for personal growth and wealth.
According to Britannica, the Illuminati designation has been in use since the 15th century, assumed by or applied to various groups of persons who claimed to be unusually enlightened. The word is the plural of the Latin illuminatus (“revealed” or “enlightened”). It has however been linked to several conspiracy theories over the years.
Angelo Benard Badi, the head chief of Iwire Payam, told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that Okumu’s lifeless body was found hanging from a rope on Sunday morning.
“This incident happened when the deceased was having some problem with his family members at home regarding a family issue. There is a sickness disturbing them at home that looks like a ghost,” he explained. “Upon settling the issue, they all scattered in their rooms and the following day when all the family members woke up, they found that this person hanged himself using a rope. I do not know his baptism name but he is commonly called Okumu and was aged 35.”
Colonel Paulino Lokete Iyaka, the Chief Inspector of Police in Magwi County, said there is no clear evidence of the accusations against the deceased and that they are now investigating the family whose members they will hold accountable.
“The deceased attended the family meeting and when they discussed and settled the issue at night, he entered his room and the family found out that he hanged himself. The family reported the case to the police,” he said. “You know the world today needs money and the family accused their son of joining the Illuminati or underwater powers and that forces this boy to hang himself. According to the family, the deceased sacrificed most of their members who died. The deceased hang himself because of them and the law will hold them accountable.”
Col. Lokete added: “What evidence did the family have that the deceased is an Illuminati? We need the evidence and the police will investigate them because civilians should not accuse someone without proof.”
Meanwhile, Charles Okullu, a local civil society activist and the executive director of Peace Link Foundation, condemned the family for accusing their own without proof and urged the government to hold them responsible.