EDITOR
Police in Kisoro District are investigating the suspected murder of a 30-year-old Congolese national, identified only as Uwimana, who reportedly died after being assaulted by residents and later detained at Nyabwishenya Police Station.
According to the Kigezi Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Elly Maate, the incident began on 6th May 2026 at around 9:00pm when the deceased allegedly threatened people at a drinking place in Nyabwishenya Sub-county.
Maate said the deceased was allegedly assaulted by a group of suspects, including Nsabimana John Bosco and Hakuzimana Mpunuseni, who has already been arrested, before being handed over to police on allegations of threatening violence.
“It is alleged that after the assault, the victim was detained at Nyabwishenya Police Station on charges of threatening violence,” Maate said.
He added that on 7th May 2026 at around 8:00am, Uwimana was found dead while in police custody.
According to Maate, instead of informing senior authorities for proper management of the incident, some police officers together with the suspects allegedly decided to secretly bury the deceased during the night on land belonging to Hon. Kamara.
Maate further explained that relatives of the deceased later traced him to the area after learning about his arrest, but were reportedly informed that he had already been released.
The matter escalated on 8th May 2026 when a group of Congolese nationals reportedly crossed into Uganda and attacked the suspects while demanding to know the whereabouts of the deceased.
“Nyabwishenya police responded and managed to contain the situation, but the matter was still not brought to the attention of the District Police Commander,” Maate stated.
He said intelligence information later emerged indicating that more Congolese nationals were planning to attack Nyabwishenya Police Station in protest over the disappearance of their colleague.
Maate noted that the information was received by Biso Busanza Kyaise Sowed, who alerted the Kisoro District Police Commander, prompting immediate intervention and investigations.
As a result, three police officers attached to Nyabwishenya Police Station were arrested to assist in investigations. They were identified as Corporal Musabimana Wickliffe, Police Constable Apeti Kizito, and Police Constable Yebuze Moris.
Police said a team from Kisoro Central Police Station has since visited the scene, identified the alleged burial site, and preparations are underway for exhumation of the body and a postmortem examination.
“Inquiries into the matter are ongoing,” Maate said.
