Suspect hacks police officer to death during attempted arrest

_________________

A Police officer attached to Nyakaziba Police Station in Buhweju district has been hacked to death by a suspect he had gone to arrest.

The deceased has been identified as Police Constable No. 63418 Sunday Opira, aged 34. He had reportedly gone to execute the arrest of Wilbroad Tumusiime, who was accused of threatening violence vide SD: 10/16/01/2026 against a resident identified as Joseph of Mubangizi, Kyanika B village, in Nyakaziba town council.

Preliminary investigations indicate that at the time of the incident, Opira was accompanied by his colleague, Corporal Christopher Olenge No. 52718, and the Kyanika B village chairperson, whose names have not yet been established.

According to an eyewitness, upon arrival at the suspect’s residence, the chairperson knocked on the door, called Tumusiime by name and introduced the two police officers he had come with.

"The moment he heard the chairperson mentioning police, Tumusiime declined to open the door, which prompted Opira (now deceased) to open the window using the gun muzzle, only to be grabbed and pulled from inside, which resulted in a scuffle," the eyewitness said.

The witness added that Opira was later forced to enter through the window in an attempt to save his firearm, which the suspect had grabbed. It was during this struggle that the officer was cut on the hand and head.

On realising that the situation had escalated, Corporal Olenge, who had been trying to break through the door, retreated and rushed back to Nyakaziba Police Station to mobilise reinforcements. By the time he returned with other officers, Opira was already lying in a pool of blood, having sustained deep cuts all over his body.

"We tried to save our colleague's life, but he died as we were rushing him to the hospital. He had deep cuts on the head, hands, and legs, so he bled profusely," a police officer told New Vision on condition of anonymity.

Police have since mounted a manhunt for Tumusiime, who is suspected of having fled the scene, to face charges of murder by hacking.

"Once arrested, Tumusiime will also face charges of aggravated robbery since he also took off with the deceased's mobile phone, vide CRB:038/2026," a source added.