WOMAN KILLED OVER SUSPECTED WITCHCRAFT IN KANUNGU

By Van Deguras

KANUNGU: Police in Kanungu district are currently holding three individuals on allegations of killing a 50-year-old female who was suspected of practicing witchcraft.

The deceased has been identified as Hamlet Tusasibwe, a resident of Nyamishamba village in Rujengwe parish, Kayonza sub-county, Kanungu District.

The Kigezi Region police spokesperson, Elly Maate, told journalists this morning that the incident occurred on July 3, 2023, at approximately 7:00 a.m.

The deceased’s son, 12-year-old Atuzarirwe Onesmus, who worked as a casual laborer, went to check on his mother and discovered that the front door was open while the room remained closed. Despite my calling out, nobody responded.

Maate explained that Onesmus entered his mother’s room and tragically found her lifeless. He immediately rushed to inform his elder brothers about the incident, and together they went to alert the community members.

Upon investigation, Maate revealed that the deceased was found lying in a pool of blood on her stomach with a strangulation cloth around her neck.

Furthermore, the left side of her forehead had suffered injuries from a blunt object.

It was later disclosed that the deceased had been accused of practicing witchcraft by members of the community.

In response to these allegations, Corporal Byaruhanga Sam from the local police post, OC Kayonza, conducted community policing three times. Unfortunately, these efforts failed to yield positive compliance from the community.

Following the crime scene examination, the police arrested three suspects who were present at the scene. They are currently being held in police custody, while others involved in the incident are still at large and awaiting prosecution.

The police spokesperson emphasized that a murder case has been registered in Kanungu District under reference number CRB 457/2023.

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