UGANDA: 9 arrested, four killed in Rukungiri

By PEREZ RUMANZI & FRED ANYINE

Nine people have been arrested in connection with four murders in Rukungiri District.

Three people were killed by a mob in Nyakishenyi Sub-county, while another was killed from his home in Rukungiri Municipality.

The District Police Commander, Mr Christopher Rukunde, said Twesigomwe Kamanyire, the Kafunjo parish vice chairperson, and his brothers - Adson Mugumya and Nshaija Muhumuza, were killed by a mob at night.

The mob accused the mother of the deceased, Ms Feles Kindesire of witchcraft. She was also seriously wounded from the attack by the mob.

Mr Rukunde, however, said their investigations revealed that the actual reason behind the murders was to grab Ms Kindesire’s land.

“We have found out that these people wanted to grab the land of the old woman. When his step son died some week ago, they decided to finish up the whole family,” he said.

Mr Rukunde said six people have been arrested in connection with the crime, adding that they are following up several leads and would arrest more suspects.

Infamous sub-county

He said Nyakishenyi Sub-county registers the highest murders in the district every year.

A month ago, four people were killed in the neighbouring area of Kanungu over similar accusations.

“These people can never learn. They keep committing similar crimes. If they did this without community policing, you would think maybe they are not aware of the law, but this is a place where we camped for two days talking to each and every one,” Mr Rukunde said on Wednesday. 

In another incident, 58-year- old Lingstone Kasigeire was killed allegedly by his son who was demanding land from him. The son and other two suspected accomplices have been arrested.

The Regional Police Commander for south western, Mr Martin Abilu, said Christmas celebrations in the region were peaceful save for an employee of Lake View Regency Hotel identified, Atim Doreen, who was on December 24 attacked and robbed of Shs140,000. 

The suspect was arrested.

Source: Daily Monitor (28/12/2012): http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/9-arrested--four-killed-in-Rukungiri/-/688334/1652716/-/15ispidz/-/index.html