By Ambrose Mugisha
RUKUNGIRI – Police in Rukungiri District are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of a 5-year-old girl named Promise Amumpaire. Promise was the daughter of Penelope, a resident of Rutooma Central Cell in Kibirizi Parish, Buhunga Sub County, Rukungiri District.
According to reports, on the 14th of July 2023, Promise stayed at home with her siblings while her mother went to a nearby trading center called Rutooma after supper. It is alleged that around 19:00hrs, the children went to bed before their mother returned home at around 22:00hrs. Upon her arrival, she discovered that the doors were open.
Concerned about the whereabouts of her children, the mother checked the bedroom where they were sleeping, only to find Promise missing. Strangely, she did not inform anyone nearby, including the local chairperson or the police.
She claimed to have searched the surrounding gardens, plantations, and farms but could not locate her daughter. Consequently, she decided to go to bed without reporting the incident.
However, on the 15th of July 2023, at approximately 07:00hrs, a schoolchild on their way to school discovered Promise’s lifeless body lying in Charles Mujenzi’s farm.
The child immediately informed Tumushabe Thopista, who then contacted Charles Mujenzi, the owner of the farm. They also informed the local chairperson of Kibara Cell, who promptly reported the matter to Buhunga Police Station.
Elly Maate, the Police spokesperson for the Kigezi region, stated that the crime scene was visited and thoroughly examined.
Maate confirmed that Atubasise Penelope, the mother of the deceased, was subsequently arrested to aid in the ongoing investigations.
Meanwhile, Promise’s body was transported to the mortuary at Rwakabengo Health Center III for postmortem analysis.
