The father of a 28-year-old mason has asked the Kitgum Chief Magistrate’s court to jail his son, saying a custodial sentence would give his 72-year-old mother a much-needed reprieve from his alleged abusive behaviour.
Michael Acaye made the plea on Thursday during the hearing of a case against his son, Kenneth Oyoo, a married mason and resident of Gangdyang Cell in Pandwong Division, Kitgum Municipality.
Oyoo is accused of insulting the modesty of his mother, Santa Angom, in July 2026 after she refused to give him tea. According to Angom, she was preparing tea for her four grandchildren, whom she cares for as orphans, when Oyoo approached her and demanded to be served.
She told court that when she explained that the tea was not enough for everyone, her son allegedly responded with vulgar insults and ordered her to leave his father’s land.
The prosecution alleges that Oyoo used offensive and demeaning language towards his mother, telling her to leave her matrimonial home and return to her parents’ home in Lumule.
He reportedly justified the demand by claiming that his father had already married another woman. Oyoo denied the allegations and asked his mother to reconsider pursuing the case, urging her to resolve the matter at home because he was her “last born and blood”.
But Angom told court that the incident was not an isolated one, saying her son had repeatedly ordered her to leave her matrimonial home.
She said Oyoo had made similar threats on about 10 occasions, at times warning that she would discover his true character if she refused to leave.
Angom further told court that her son frequently returns home drunk, sometimes as late as 1 am, and kicks on her door while demanding food despite being married.
She said Oyoo was also rude to the children under her care, leaving them constantly afraid of him.
As chief magistrate Robert Ekirita prepared to adjourn the case, Acaye raised his hand and sought permission to address the court. He told the magistrate that his son’s behaviour had become a source of distress for his mother and asked the court to impose an appropriate punishment.
“When he is at home, his mother doesn’t have peace. I pray that you give him an appropriate punishment so that his mother can rest for some time,” Acaye said.
Acaye told court that Oyoo had dropped out of school despite his efforts to pay his fees. He also accused his son of alcoholism and associating with criminal gangs.
He further revealed that Oyoo had previously spent 20 months in prison after assaulting his teacher. According to Acaye, repeated attempts by family members, including Oyoo’s brothers and other relatives, to counsel him and encourage him to change had failed.
Chief magistrate Ekirita said Acaye would be called as a witness in the case and adjourned the matter to September 1, 2026, for further hearing.