How Lira RCC met his death: 50 RDCs lined up for questioning

By the time Lira’s assistant resident city commissioner (RCC) Karim Mwase was found dead, face bruised and blood leaking from his nose and mouth, the trail to his killers had already begun to cool. 

His body, discarded like roadside litter, lay in a trench off the Iganga-Tororo highway in Nabwoli village, Nakalama sub-county. 

His final known act? Offering a mysterious woman a lift late on Sunday night.

Mwase reportedly stopped in Busesa town council, Iganga district, at around 7:30pm on Sunday to give the woman a lift to an undisclosed location. 

He neither reached his intended destination nor returned. His body was later discovered by locals, just a few metres away from a black Toyota Sienta with registration number UBH 449L, parked with hazard lights blinking. 

The vehicle, which Mwase had been driving, belonged to Bugweri Assistant RDC Abdallah Nasir Kakaire, according to Police. Kakaire had lent it to Mwase earlier that weekend. 

At around 8:00pm on Sunday, Kakaire received a phone call informing him that the vehicle was parked on the Iganga-Tirinyi highway, with windows rolled down but unattended to.

Tracking killers  

Concerned, Kakaire hired a tow truck to recover the vehicle. However, as the towing team prepared to retrieve it, one of the workers noticed a body lying in a trench on the opposite side of the road. 

The body was identified as that of Mwase. Police have since opened a case at Iganga Central Police Station, under reference SD REF: 02/12/05/2025. 

A team comprising homicide detectives, canine handlers and intelligence officers, led by Senior Superintendent of Police Abas Senyonjo, the Busoga East regional Police commander, visited the scene. 

A police dog was introduced at the scene and tracked a scent for approximately 1km along the highway before losing the trail. Mwase’s body showed signs of violence, with visible bruises on his right hand and injuries to the face. 

Blood was also observed flowing from his nose and mouth. 

The body was conveyed to Iganga Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination, while the vehicle was towed to Iganga Central Police station for further forensic analysis.

Death threats, political announcement 

Police have confirmed that Mwase had earlier reported receiving death threats via phone calls and WhatsApp messages. 

The origins of the threats are now part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities are also investigating Mwase’s movements in the hours before his death. 

Notably, he was in the eastern region attending both formal and informal functions. 

Among them was a private gathering hosted by Iganga resident district commissioner (RDC) Haji Sadala Wandera at his residence in Makuutu village. Over 50 RDCs hailing from the eastern region later converged at Sana Hotel on the Iganga-Jinja highway for dinner before parting at about 7:30pm. 

According to police and political sources, Wandera had invited assistant RDCs, deputy RDCs and RDCs from Bugweri district, allegedly to announce his (Wandera’s) intention to contest for the Bugweri municipality parliamentary seat. 

It was at this meeting that Mwase made his final public appearance. During the session, Wandera reportedly fainted and was rushed to Imperial Hospital in Iganga town. 

Afterward, some attendees, including Mwase, moved to Sana Hotel in Iganga, where he was last seen alive at around 7:00pm.

The car that Mwase was driving the day he was murdered.

RDCs lined up for grilling 

Busoga east Police region spokesperson Michael Kafayo said investigations were underway to establish the motive behind the murder. Investigators have begun summoning attendees of the Wandera meeting, the 50 RDCs, to record statements. 

Detectives are also reviewing closed circuit Television camera footage from Sana Hotel and analysing the deceased’s mobile phone communication data. Kakaire, who had lent Mwase the vehicle, has already provided a statement to Police, detailing the series of events from the time he lent out the car to the moment the body was discovered. 

Police have since revisited the crime scene, scrutinising the timeline and expanding their inquiries based on statements and digital evidence. Investigators have not yet confirmed whether the woman Mwase gave a lift to has been identified or located. 

As the probe continues, the discovery of the body, the abandoned car and prior threats received by the deceased have raised serious questions about the motive behind the killing and whether it was politically linked or personally motivated. 

By press time, no arrests had been made, but Police maintained that multiple leads were being followed.

RDCs, Police speak out  

According to the Buikwe assistant RDC, Sanon Dalah, the deceased had on Saturday attended his introduction ceremony held at Kirongero village, Bugiri district. 

Dalah said the deceased was planning to travel back to Lira on Monday. An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, said he saw three people come out of the vehicle the deceased was driving while holding someone before disappearing into the darkness. 

“I later heard someone cry loudly, asking for help,” he said. The three men later jumped onto a bodaboda that arrived moments later and sped off towards Mbale. 

Iganga deputy RDC Dauda Kato urged the Police to speed up investigations and establish the people responsible for the murder. Kafayo urged the public to volunteer information about the people responsible for the murder. 

Nakalama LC3 chairperson Amidu Kawanguzi urged the Police to beef up security, especially along the main highway, to curb the increasing cases of murder and violent crimes committed during the night. 

By press time, the body of the deceased was still lying at the Iganga Hospital Mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Crime report, syndicates 

Mwase’s death adds to a growing list of violent crimes along highways. According to the Police’s annual crime report, there was a slight decline in total cases reported from 228,074 in 2023 to 218,715 last year. 

However, cases of aggravated murder, abduction and vehicle-related killings remain disturbingly high. 

Last year, 88,985 suspects were arrested and charged, while 220,594 people were recorded as victims of various crimes, including domestic violence, murder and robbery. 

Police also dismantled multiple criminal syndicates, including car theft rings operating in Iganga and Kampala. One gang, led by Nagib Ngobi and Awali Mafabi, was found to be behind the theft of at least 12 cars. 

The group included garage owners, mechanics, and brokers who repainted and resold stolen vehicles. 

Their accomplices were identifi ed as Hussein Kisekka (currently on remand), Kassim Meddy Elewo, Michael Katamba, Shafic Kyeyune (a garage owner), Abdul Wasswa alias Haji Hassan Musiramu and John Kasilivu.