Father Arrested, Mother Wanted For Torturing Son To Death

Police in Rwampara District are holding Wilberforce Mucunguzi, and searching for his wife, Provia Natukunda, both residents of Bushenyi Cell, Ruganda Sub-County, Rwampara, on charges of torturing their son to death. The deceased has been identified as Davis Besisira, 18, a senior four student at Rwampara Vocational Secondary School. 

Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi region Police spokesperson, explains that on September 9, 2023, the deceased was given 640,000 Shillings to pay school fees, but he squandered the money. Kasasira explains that on September 21, upon discovering that Besisira had wasted the money, he went into hiding at his aunt's place. His parents found him there at night and subjected him to torture until the morning. 

Kasasira further states that the victim was eventually rescued by Alice Nakuya, the Rugando Sub Count Woman Councilor, who returned him to school. However, while at school, Besisira's condition worsened and he was taken to Kinoni Health IV over the weekend where he breathed his last on Sunday morning. 

Kasasira says that the deceased's body was taken to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for a postmortem leading to the arrest of his father, Nakuya explains that she received reports from Mucunguzi's neighbors about loud cries throughout the night. She says that went to Mucunguzi's home and discovered Besisira tied with a rope in the sitting room, crying. Nakuya promptly contacted the police, leading to the arrest of Mucunguzi, while his wife, Natukunda fled and is currently in hiding.

Dan Mugume, the Headteacher of Rwampara Vocational Secondary School, says that when Besisira returned to school, he appeared to be in good health. However, his friends alerted the duty teacher when they noticed his condition deteriorating. In another incident, the Isingiro Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Richmond Tumusime, 11, a Primary Five pupil at Citizen Nursery and Primary School. 

Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson, alleges that on Sunday, the deceased had lunch and took juice from his bottle, which is suspected to have been contaminated. He warned his classmates not to drink from his bottle, claiming it contained something only meant for his consumption.   Shortly after drinking the juice, Tumusiime began vomiting and lost consciousness. He was rushed to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital where he passed away. 

According to Kasasira, preliminary investigations suggest that Tumusiime was unhappy about being in a boarding school, as he was not accustomed to eating only Posho and beans. This dissatisfaction may have led him to consume poisoned juice. Kasasira says that the deceased's body is still in the mortuary at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital pending a postmortem examination and further investigations.