By Anthony Bugembe and Henry Ssenyondo

Martin Kivumbi, a special hire driver at Bbunga stage, yesterday morning hacked his wife to death, then hanged himself.

Jessica Nakabugo, 40, was deep asleep when Kivumbi pounced on her with a sharp panga before hanging himself on an avocado tree behind their rented room in Nakinyuguzi Zone, Salaama in Makindye Division.

A neighbour said Nakabugo separated with Kivumbi months earlier and set up a new home for herself and their seven-year-old daughter in Kkonge, another Kampala suburb.

“Nakabugo used to drop by and help Martin with household chores and pick money for upkeep,” the neighbour said.

However, about a month ago, Nakabugo moved back to her husband, said the neighbour.

The neighbour said he saw Kivumbi hanging but did not know he was the one. “When I went to inform him of what had happened, I found the wife lying in a pool of blood.”

In the room were spears, backcloths and baskets.

Erias Byakulyakubula Ssemakula, Kivumbi’s landlord, said: “Last Sunday, Nakabugo told him that she was going to give him back his daughter. Kivumbi wanted to hit Nakabugo but I restrained him.”

Another neighbour said Kivumbi had a history of violence. “Once he threatened to cut his mother to pieces.”

Another neighbour said Kivumbi could have killed Nakabugo, who had another daughter with a different man, on suspicion of cheating.

Explaining the possible cause of the murder, Sye Kirya, the Katwe Police Station chief, said: “Most murders are due to stress and drug abuse.”

The murder is one of many that have shocked the nation lately.

A week ago, Ssalongo Abas Mugera slaughtered his twins in the same city division.