Eight people have been arrested in Amuru district for marrying off a 15-year-old girl to a 33-year-old man.

Those arrested include the groom Charles Ojok and the teenage bride, a primary six pupil at Oloyotong primary school in Amuru district. Others under custody are Eveline Aciro the teenager’s mother, the girl’s uncle, Nyeko Abuja, John Okwir who is an uncle to the bridegroom, Elnato Kibwota, Joseph Komakech and Wilberforce Okwonga.

The suspects were arrested on Saturday afternoon from Oloyotong village in Amuru sub-county while holding a celebratory party for a successful traditional Acholi marriage that took place on Friday evening.

Reports indicate that Ojok and his relatives on Friday evening paid dowry and an unspecified amount to the family of the teenage girl in exchange for her hand in marriage.

Michael Lakony, the Amuru district chairperson said that the police and district authorities were notified of the illegal marriage, prompting them to rush to the scene on Saturday where they arrested the ill-fitting couple and their relatives.

The suspects are currently being detained at Otwee police station in Otwee town council. The groom and his family members had travelled from their home in Koch in Nwoya district.

Apollo Okello, the Amuru district secretary for education decried the rising cases of teenage pregnancies and early marriages in the district, something he attributes to poor parenting, love for money and domestic disputes.