The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Rukungiri, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Twenty-two-year-old Denis Arinaitwe, a tailor has been handed 70 years in jail after pleading guilty to the murder on the same day of his two girlfriends.
Arinaitwe first strangled to death Sarah Naturinda, a student at Kabale University in her room in Rwamukundi village, Kabale Municipality, before he went on to shoot Police Constable Caroline Komuhangi March 19, 2023, around 9:00 am.
On Monday, Arinaitwe appeared before Kabale High Court presided over by Justice Samuel Emokor, and pleaded guilty to two counts of murder.
Komuhangi was formerly attached to the Field Force Unit (FFU) at Kabale Central Police Station. Arinaitwe, a resident of Nyakahanga village, Kazindiro parish, Rukungiri district, shot and killed Komuhangi following domestic disputes about their relationship. The two had been cohabiting for one and a half years.
A disagreement arose after Komuhangi accused Arinaitwe of having an affair with Naturinda, student from Kabale University. She also accused Arinaitwe of taking her Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) card. Komuhangi reported the matter to Kabale Police Station, leading to Arinaitwe’s arrest and an order for him to return the ATM card.
On the fateful day, Arinaitwe gained access to the Police Barracks, where Komuhangi was, and a fight broke out. As Komuhangi tried to flee, Arinaitwe shot her three times.
After the incident, Arinaitwe attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself, but he missed the target and injured himself in the face. He was arrested and taken to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital for treatment until July 20, 2023, when he was brought before the court, charged, and remanded to Ndorwa Government Prison.
Juliet Najunju, Kabale Resident State Attorney, requested a heavy sentence for Arinaitwe due to the severity of his crimes. In his judgment, Justice Emokor considered Arinaitwe’s guilty plea, which saved the court time and taxpayer money. He sentenced Arinaitwe to 35 years for each murder charge, to be served concurrently. Emokor deducted the time Arinaitwe spent on remand, reducing the sentence to 68 years and two months.
Following the sentence, Arinaitwe was handcuffed as he threatened journalists for taking his pictures when given the chance.
Elly Maate, police spokesperson for the Kigezi region, welcomed the judgment, stating that it sends a message that committing crimes carries severe consequences. He emphasized that individuals should seek peaceful resolutions rather than taking the law into their own hands.
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