Man Arrested for Killing Rukungiri Woman Over Witchcraft Claims

Summary:

The suspect, identified as Amos Tumwijukye, a Boda Boda rider and resident of Katojo Cell, Katojo Ward, Nyakayojo Division in Mbarara District, is accused of killing Loyidah Ayebazibwe, a peasant and resident of Nyarubembe Village, Kibirizi Parish, Buhunga Sub-county.

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RUKUNGIRI: Police in Rukungiri District have arrested a 24-year-old man for allegedly murdering a 37-year-old woman whom he accused of practicing witchcraft in Buhunga Sub-county.

The suspect, identified as Amos Tumwijukye, a Boda Boda rider and resident of Katojo Cell, Katojo Ward, Nyakayojo Division in Mbarara District, is accused of killing Loyidah Ayebazibwe, a peasant and resident of Nyarubembe Village, Kibirizi Parish, Buhunga Sub-county. Tumwijukye is currently detained at Rukungiri Central Police Station.

According to police, Tumwijukye and Kesente Jovaline had been accusing Ayebazibwe of practicing witchcraft since her marriage in 2012. It is alleged that Ayebazibwe once cursed Kesente, saying she would “die smelling,” and that Tumwijukye would “die in an accident.”

In 2014, Kesente developed a foul-smelling leg wound that failed to heal. On Friday, while Tumwijukye was transporting Kesente to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for treatment, they were involved in an accident. Kesente bled excessively from her wound, prompting Tumwijukye to plan Ayebazibwe’s murder.

Following the accident, Tumwijukye purchased a knife in Mbarara and traveled back to Rukungiri. He arrived at Ayebazibwe’s home around 7:20 PM, shared supper with her, and asked her to escort him to his mother’s home. She agreed and was accompanied by her two children, Elvis and Tracy.

Upon arrival, Tumwijukye used a hidden pestle to strike Ayebazibwe three times on the neck and head. When she tried to flee, he stabbed her in the neck, killing her instantly. Her children, Elvis and Tracy, raised an alarm, attracting local residents and area chairperson Musasizi Benon, who reported the incident to the police.

Tumwijukye was arrested on Saturday at a lodge in Mabanga.

Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police spokesperson, confirmed that a case of murder was opened at Rukungiri Central Police Station. The crime scene was visited, photographed, and sketched by the Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO), homicide detectives, and Buhunga police.

Maate noted that a club and the suspect’s phone were recovered as exhibits. Statements were recorded from witnesses, and the body was taken to Rwakabengo HC3 mortuary for a postmortem examination.

CUE IN MAATE…….ON THE ARREST…….RR/ENG//