Night Watchman Murdered, Five Suspects Arrested in Rukungiri

RUKUNGIRI – Police in Rukungiri District have apprehended five individuals in connection with the alleged murder of a 32-year-old night watchman identified as Muhwezi Varesi at the Babuze Rest House and nightclub.

According to the police report, on September 18, 2023, around 2:00 AM, in the early morning hours, in Rwamahwa cell, Kinyasano Ward, Western Division in Rukungiri Municipality, Joseph Bwambale, the manager of the aforementioned club, was at his workplace.

He was approached by some of his customers who had recently left the Rest House on their way home. They reported that they had been confronted by a group of individuals who attempted to rob them of their belongings.

The police report further reveals that upon receiving this information, Joseph Bwambale contacted the night watchman, also known as an Askali, and alerted him to the situation. Shortly thereafter, one of the suspected robbers was identified and seen near the gate of the Rest House.

The night watchman, with the assistance of some customers, managed to apprehend this individual.

It was at this point that the suspect’s accomplices began pelting the night watchman and his group with stones in an attempt to free their colleague. The night watchman was overwhelmed by this assault and was forced to release the suspect.

As he attempted to defend himself, the suspect picked up a stone and used it to strike the night watchman’s head, causing him to fall unconscious.

Elly Maate, the spokesperson for the Kigezi Region Police, reported that the night watchman was promptly rushed to Doctors Case Clinic in Rukungiri and subsequently referred to Mbarara Referral Hospital, where he tragically passed away on the same day, September 18, 2023.

Maate confirmed that a formal report was filed by the manager at the Rukungiri Police station. The scene of the crime was visited, examined, and documented, and the body underwent a postmortem examination. It was during these investigations that the police arrested the five suspects for questioning.