Police in Rubanda District have arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged murder of 49-year-old Stephen Kasenene, a resident of Kaburara Cell, Mpungu Parish, Hamurwa Sub-county.
According to police, the incident occurred on Monday at around 10:00 p.m. at Hakitoma Cell in the same parish.
The suspects have been identified as Orikiriza Denis alias Maguru (45), a patrolman at Kaburara Mafuga National Forest Reserve and resident of Rusanga Village, and Katusiime Mary Vian (42), a patrolwoman at Kirima Mafuga NFA and resident of Ikumba Cell, Shebeya Parish, Hamurwa Sub-county.
Preliminary police findings indicate that on Monday at around 7:00 p.m., Orikiriza allegedly went to Kasenene’s home, asking him to accompany him to arrest people carrying out illegal activities in the forest reserve. Kasenene never returned home thereafter.
The following morning, Orikiriza went back to the deceased’s home and asked his wife whether Kasenene had returned. When told he had not, Orikiriza reportedly remarked that he “might have died” before walking away.
On Wednesday morning, Orikiriza allegedly returned to the forest, where Kasenene’s body was later discovered. The forestry supervisor, Atoke Dorothy, then reported the matter to Hamurwa Police Station for further investigation.
Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson Elly Maate confirmed the incident, saying the scene was visited, documented, and statements recorded from witnesses.
Maate said that apostmortem examination was also conducted before the body was handed over to the family for burial.
Investigations into the case are ongoing.
