Senior Reporter
Valentino Agaba Kwishima Bariburuhe, a court bailiff with Agalentine Auctioneers and Court Bailiffs, has applied for bail, sparking anger among the relatives of the murdered teacher.
Agaba, 40, from Hamunora village in Rubanda district, is accused of participating in the murder of Callist Sunday, a primary school teacher from Nyakarembe village in Kisoro district. He is currently detained in Kisoro government prison along with seven other suspects.
The suspects include Ezra Monday, 38, Thomas Arineitwe alias Butunuzi, 40, Gerald Bagyenyi, 35, Enock Mugabe, 35, Junior Asasira, 18, all from Bukimbiri sub-county, and two Congolese nationals from Rutshuru territory, James Niyonzima, 17, and another individual known only as Pascal.
On February 17, 2024, at around 3:00 AM, locals allegedly lured Sunday out of his home under the guise of needing help with a patient. They then murdered him and stole his mobile phone. The police traced the phone, leading to the arrest of Agaba and the other suspects, who have been charged with murder.
Agaba, represented by his lawyer Felix Bakanyemonera, has requested bail, citing health issues, claiming he has cancer and is the sole provider for his six children. However, the State Attorney, Julie Najjunju, requested an adjournment due to the absence of the senior attorney, Grace Ntegge Nabagala.
The victim’s relatives, led by his brother Naricensio Bigyiromuhangi, oppose the bail, fearing witness intimidation and questioning the timing of the bail application. Justice Samuel Emokor, the Kabale High Court judge, granted the adjournment and set the next hearing for May 29, 2024.
Meanwhile, Agaba’s family contends that the charges stem from internal land disputes rather than factual evidence.
