Soldier held over Kyotera murder as Police intensify hunt for suspects
The investigations come against the backdrop of other disturbing killings, including the murder of two children whose bodies were discovered in a wetland in Lwengo District. The victims, Lawrence Muhumuza, 4, and Hillary Ssebulime, 6, were pupils at Good Hope Primary School.
According to police, Sentongo's killing stemmed from a dispute over a tipper truck loaded with timber that UPDF personnel had impounded at Kamugenyi-Kyesiga in neighbouring Masaka District on November 6.
KYOTERA - Police have arrested a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier over the murder of a businessman in Kyotera, as detectives pursue suspects linked to the murder of a police officer, two schoolchildren and other victims
The arrest of Sgt. Cosmas Enzama follows the November 7, killing of businessman Stephen Kabogere Sentongo, 50, in Kayanja village within Kyotera's Lwankoni sub-county, in an incident that reportedly arose from a dispute over a truck impounded by military personnel.
According to police, Sentongo's killing stemmed from a dispute over a tipper truck loaded with timber that UPDF personnel had impounded at Kamugenyi-Kyesiga in neighbouring Masaka District on November 6.
The occupants of the truck reportedly fled, leaving the vehicle in military custody
Sentongo, the owner, traced the truck the following day and found it under the soldiers' guard. However, he discovered that the timber had been offloaded onto another vehicle and taken away.
When he requested the release of his truck, the soldiers allegedly demanded sh4m. He reportedly managed to pay sh1m, but failed to raise the remaining sh3m.
Police said Sentongo subsequently forced his way into the tipper and drove towards his home in Kyotera.
One of the soldiers allegedly pursued him on a motorcycle for about 20 kilometres, from Kyesiga to Kayanja Village.
As the businessman stepped out to plead with him, the suspect allegedly cocked his gun and shot him on the right side of the chest, killing him instantly.
His body was taken to Kalisizo Health Centre IV mortuary pending a postmortem examination.
Twaha Kasirye, the police spokesperson for Masaka East and West regions, confirmed the incident and ongoing investigations, saying that other military personnel whose identities had not been established by press time were also arrested in connection with the incident as police intensify investigations.
The killing of Sentongo came barely two days after armed robbers shot dead Police Constable Denis Adriko in Mbarara City, and three weeks after gunmen murdered Kisoro businessman Africano Nteziyaremye and his wife, Peace Kyompeire, at their home in Kisoro municipality.
Investigations are also underway into the gruesome murder of two schoolchildren in Lwengo District and the shooting of a mobile money operator in Busia, adding to mounting concerns over violent crime
Cop gunned down
In Mbarara, investigators are pursuing armed robbers who shot dead Police Constable Adriko on November 5, while he was on duty along Kaguta Road
Adriko was attached to the Kaguta Road Field Force Unit (FFU) detachment
Police condemned the attack and said investigations were underway to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
Children killed
The investigations come against the backdrop of other disturbing killings, including the murder of two children whose bodies were discovered in a wetland in Lwengo District.
The victims, Lawrence Muhumuza, 4, and Hillary Ssebulime, 6, were pupils at Good Hope Primary School.
Their parents reported them missing at Ndagwe Police Station on November 2 after they failed to return home from school.
Their bodies were discovered on November 7, at about 5:20pm in Kyamatafali wetland, Kyamatafali village, Mpumudde Parish, Ndagwe sub-county.
Police said the bodies were found about 50 metres apart, undressed and in an advanced state of decomposition.
One child had a cut wound on the neck, while the other had both his feet severed.
The two were last seen at about 1:00pm on November 2, in Busesire village
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding their deaths and pursuing leads that could help identify those responsible.