Story by Aggrey Twesigye
Police in Bwizibwera are holding two suspects in connection with the horrific murder of Ritah Akakunda, a 25-year-old resident of Bwizibwera Cell, Bwizibwera-Rutooma Town Council in Mbarara District.
The suspects have been identified as 19-year-old Javira Byamukama, a shamba boy employed in the area, and 30-year-old Winnie Kembabazi, who is reported to be an in-law to the deceased.
According to Mbarara District Police Commander, SP Benon Byamukama, the brutal murder occurred on Saturday morning at around 7:20 AM. Police were alerted and swiftly responded to the crime scene with a sniffer dog.
The dog picked up a scent that led investigators approximately 100 meters from the scene to a pit latrine, where they discovered blood-stained clothes believed to belong to Byamukama.
Further tracking by the canine unit led officers to Byamukama’s residence. During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime, revealing that he had been paid UGX 100,000 by Kembabazi to carry out the killing.
Local resident Grace Bagyenyi described the attack as “horrific,” revealing that the victim was beheaded and her left arm was severed.
Juliet Nabakooza, the councillor representing Bwizibwera-Rutooma Town Council, expressed deep concern over the incident, condemning the increasing cases of domestic violence in the area.
She urged community members to seek peaceful and non-violent ways of resolving conflicts.
The body of the deceased was transported to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for a postmortem examination as investigations into the motive and circumstances surrounding the murder continue.
Police have assured the public that justice will be served and that they are committed to rooting out crime in the region.
