Police hunt Isingiro councilor on the run for alleged murder

Isingiro, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Police in Isingiro district is hunting for the Nyamuyanja sub county councilor for alleged murder.

Alex Atwebembaire representing Nyamuyanja parish to the sub county is accused of taking part in the beating to death of Happy Lawrence alias Kakoyera, who has been a resident of Nyarwashama village in Nyamuyanja sub county, Isingiro district.

He is accused of the murder with 10 others namely: Wilberforce Turyomunsi, Robert Basigababo, Julius Fai, James Kato, Gerrard Katonda, Kibete Atwijukire, Neriko Muhiairweoha, Kiiza alias Kakiga, Matayo Ariyo and Rwentaro Silver.

The eleven are also accused of injuring Kenneth Ryamyonga, a resident of Ruhira town council currently admitted at Nyamuyanja health center III, who was with the deceased on the fateful night of Monday.

Andrew Akampurira, the officer in charge of the District Criminal Investigations department at Isingiro police, has directed the Officer in Charge of Nyamuyanja police station, to arrest the eleven suspects following the preliminary investigations that pinned them on the crime.

He says the suspects were identified by key eyewitnesses to have participated in the murder and assaulting of Kakoyera and Ryamyonga respectively.

Badru Twikirize, the chairperson of Nyarwashama village says police have contacted him and visited the known workplace and residence of Atwebembaire several times without finding him there.

According to Twikirize, Kakoyera was killed by a mob allegedly led by the key suspect at Nyamuyanja trading centre, as he was heading to his grandmother’s home where he was staying.

Kakoyera was from drinking alcohol at the Mukitabuki trading centre.

Twikirize says the deceased was repeatedly suspected to be a thief and when the councillor who was drinking with other people saw him at around midnight, they pounced on him with a friend and beat him to death.

A charge of murder has been preferred against Atwebembaire at Isingiro Central Police Station.

Asiimwe Rwamburabuza, the father of the deceased says the son was often rumoured to be a thief but he had never been arrested or found with any stolen property.

He accuses the councilor of malice towards the son, which has now culminated into murder.

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URN