Rubirizi man hacks wife to death over ancestral land dispute
The suspect, Niwagaba Amidu, 55, reportedly attacked his wife, Asiimwe Madina, 50, while she was harvesting coffee in their plantation.
The couple, married for decades and parents of 13 children, had a long history of disputes, mainly over inherited family land. (File photo)
By Bruno Mugizi
Journalists @New Vision
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Shock and grief gripped residents of Rumuri I and Rumuri II villages in Kichwamba sub-county, Rubirizi district, on Monday, September 22, 2025, when a 55-year-old man hacked his wife to death over a land dispute.
The suspect, Niwagaba Amidu, 55, reportedly attacked his wife, Asiimwe Madina, 50, while she was harvesting coffee in their plantation.
Eyewitnesses say he hacked her several times with a panga, killing her instantly. He then fled and plunged into Lake Rwizongo, where he drowned.
The couple, married for decades and parents of 13 children, had a long history of disputes, mainly over inherited family land.
Reports indicate that Asiimwe inherited several plots of land from her family, which she insisted on managing independently. Her husband, however, had repeatedly pressured her to sell the land to raise money, a demand she resisted.
Two months before the tragedy, Asiimwe resolved to keep the land strictly for their children, a decision that worsened the rift.
On the fateful day, while she picked ripe coffee cherries, Niwagaba stormed the farm and viciously attacked her.
Rumuri I LC1 chairperson Patrick Beyendeza expressed shock and sorrow: This family has struggled with domestic conflict for a long time. As leaders, we tried to mediate, but tensions persisted. It is very painful that this ended in the loss of two lives. We call upon families to resolve disputes peacefully instead of resorting to violence.
The body of Asiimwe Madina was taken to Rugazi Health Centre IV for a postmortem. (Photo by Bruno Mugizi) 
Rumuri parish councillor Bernard Mugizi condemned the incident: It is shameful and heartbreaking that a man could kill his wife because of land and coffee. We leaders have always advised people to seek guidance and legal means in solving disputes. Violence is never the answer.
Julius Masereka, the officer in charge of Kichwamba Police Station, urged the public to desist from domestic violence and to work closely with the Police and local leaders in resolving conflicts.
“We appeal to the public to stop taking the law into their own hands. Let us utilise the guidance of authorities to settle grievances. Police have already commenced investigations into the murder-suicide, and we call for vigilance and early reporting of domestic violence cases,” he said.
The body of Asiimwe Madina was taken to Rugazi Health Centre IV for a postmortem.