Kikuube woman in custody over stepfather’s death

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The police in Kikuube district are holding a young woman for allegedly killing her mother’s husband.

The suspect, identified as Scovia Ayebale, is a resident of Kaseta village, Kaseta parish in Kabwoya subcounty, Kikuube district.

She is accused of murdering Ellynest Twizukye, a resident of Nyakabale Nyaseke village in the same parish.

According to Fabiano Imaniraguha, the councillor for Kaseta parish, the deceased was reportedly beaten by the suspect on Wednesday during a fight.

Imaniraguha explained that Ayebale and her siblings lost their biological father five years ago and remained under the care of their mother. In 2023, the mother began a relationship with Twizukye and brought him into the home that had belonged to her late husband—something the children strongly opposed.

"The mother insisted and stayed with the man in the house of her late husband. The angry children decided to move out and rented a house in the trading centre, where they have been living unhappily over their mother's decision," he said, adding that the family had been in conflict for the past year.

On the day of the incident, Ayebale had gone to visit her mother. While at her late father's home, she reportedly got into a quarrel with her stepfather, which escalated into a physical fight.

During the altercation, she allegedly picked up a hoe and struck Twizukye on the head, leaving him in a coma.

Imaniraguha said the victim was rushed to a nearby clinic but was pronounced dead on Saturday morning.

Residents later apprehended the suspect and handed her over to Kyarushesha Police Post in Kyangwali Sub-county, where she is currently being detained.

Julius Hakiza, the Albertine Region police spokesperson, confirmed the incident, noting that investigations have been launched to establish the motive and full circumstances surrounding the killing.

He said a post-mortem was conducted and the body handed over to relatives for burial. The suspect, he added, will soon be transferred to Kikuube Police Station for further interrogation.