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How sh4,000 debt dispute ended in death of 65-year-old man
According to police, it all started when the deceased, identified as Moses Busima, on August 21, sold charcoal worth sh8,000 to Merriam Nafuna, 21, a resident of the same village.
How sh4,000 debt dispute ended in death of 65-year-old man
By: Simon Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
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Sironko Police have launched investigations into the death of a 65-year-old man, who was allegedly struck on the head with a hoe handle, following a dispute over a sh4,000 charcoal debt.
The incident occurred on August 22, 2026, at about 7:00pm in Buyola Village, Buyobo sub-county, Sironko District.
According to police, it all started when the deceased, identified as Moses Busima, on August 21, sold charcoal worth sh8,000 to Merriam Nafuna, 21, a resident of the same village.
Nafuna allegedly paid sh4,000 and agreed to clear the remaining balance of sh4,000 the following day.
Police said when Busima returned on August 22 to demand his balance, the suspect reportedly told him she did not have the money and instead returned the charcoal to him.
It is alleged that while Busima was picking up the charcoal, Nafuna picked up a hoe handle and struck him on the head, killing him instantly.
The suspect was reportedly arrested by members of the community and handed over to officers at Buyobo Police Station.
In a statement on the incident, police said: “Sironko police have launched an investigation into the death of a 65-year-old man who was allegedly assaulted by a 21-year-old female adult to death.”
Police said when Busima returned on August 22 to demand his balance, the suspect reportedly told him she did not have the money and instead returned the charcoal to him.
It is alleged that while Busima was picking up the charcoal, Nafuna picked up a hoe handle and struck him on the head, killing him instantly.
The suspect was reportedly arrested by members of the community and handed over to officers at Buyobo Police Station.
In a statement on the incident, police said: “Sironko police have launched an investigation into the death of a 65-year-old man who was allegedly assaulted by a 21-year-old female adult to death.”
Police detectives and scene-of-crime officers visited and documented the scene.
Investigators also interviewed witnesses and obtained statements as part of the inquiry.
The deceased’s body was retrieved and conveyed to Mbale City Mortuary for a postmortem examination.
Police said the suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.
The alleged murder is being investigated under the police reference SD/22/08/2026, with inquiries continuing.
Investigators also interviewed witnesses and obtained statements as part of the inquiry.
The deceased’s body was retrieved and conveyed to Mbale City Mortuary for a postmortem examination.
Police said the suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.
The alleged murder is being investigated under the police reference SD/22/08/2026, with inquiries continuing.