EDITOR
Police in Ntungamo District have arrested three suspects in connection with the tragic kidnap and double murder of a one-year-old boy and a woman. The victims have been identified as Ariho Elijah, a 1-year-10-month-old boy from Omukibale Cell, Kibingo Parish, Nyakyera Subcounty, and Ainembabazi Mellon, an adult female from Nyakishenyi Subcounty in Rukungiri District.
The suspects include the boy’s father, Namanya Innocent, a businessman from Kirera Cell, Rwoho Town Council; Nuwahereza Janepher, 33, an Apostle at Healers Church Ministry Karama and Namanya’s second wife; and Mutesigensi Alex, 34, a boda boda rider.
According to police, the incident began on October 6, 2024, when Natukunda Create, the mother of Ariho Elijah, reported her son missing. The child was kidnapped during a service at Kahaija Church of Nazarene in Akatojo, Nyakyera Town Council, by a woman Natukunda only recognized by face. Police investigations later revealed that the woman was Ainembabazi Mellon, who had been hired by the father of the child, Namanya Innocent, to carry out the abduction.
Mellon reportedly resisted handing over the child to Mutesigensi after realizing the plan was to kill him. She fled with the child to her home in Nyakishenyi, Rukungiri District. Upon learning of her actions, the suspects allegedly hatched a plan to eliminate her as well.
On October 7, 2024, Namanya Innocent, with the other suspects, used a Toyota Premio (registration number UBL 783W) to travel to Ainembabazi Mellon’s home, where they kidnapped both her and the child. Police say the suspects murdered Mellon in the car, placed her body in a sack filled with stones, and threw it into the waters of Kanyehunde. They then killed the child, tied his body with clothes, attached a heavy stone, and disposed of him in the same waters.
The bodies were later recovered on October 8, 2024. Investigations indicate that the motive for the crime stemmed from ongoing domestic violence issues between Namanya Innocent and the child’s mother, which were being addressed in court.
The suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue. SP Kasasira Samson, Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson, confirmed the arrests and the ongoing probe.
