Businessman's Murder in Mbarara Leads to Revenge Attacks

Police have detained four individuals, including a Local Council Chairperson, in connection with the murder of Francis Nuwamanya, also known as Banini, a businessman in Mbarara City Central Market. Nuwamanya, who resided in Nyakibungo cell, Rubaya sub-county, was ambushed on Sunday evening and killed by unknown assailants who made off with his 10 million Shillings.

The suspects are Nazario Ngorogoza, the LC1 Chairperson of Nyakibungo Cell, Darius Musinguzi, the former LC1 chairperson of Ruyonza Cell, Bosco Bindeeba, and Richard Atwebembeire. According to Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson, the suspects waylaid the victim as he was returning from Mbarara City, strangled him to death, and stole the 10 million Shillings he was carrying. The deceased was meant to pay the landlord for grazing cattle on their land.

In a retaliatory attack, the deceased's relatives attacked the family of the key suspect, Darius Musinguzi, killing a casual laborer and setting his and his brothers' houses on fire. They also injured Musinguzi's grandmother seriously. The deceased laborer has been identified as Anthony Atukwase, 19, while the injured grandmother, Jacinta Mukuru, is currently receiving treatment at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.

Emmy Turyabagyenyi, the Mbarara Resident District Commissioner expressed concern about the cycle of violence, saying that security has been heavily deployed in the area. He also revealed that he had called security meetings to prevent further attacks on either family as preparations are underway to bury the deceased individuals. 

Julius Bishanga, the Rubaya Sub county LC V Councilor, explained that the revenge on Musinguzi's home is driven by a perception that he is above the law and immune from legal consequences.