Rakai teacher held over murder

Police is holding Wilberforce Ndawula (25), a teacher of El Shadai Primary School in Byokya village, Kibanda Sub County, for allegedly killing his 50-yr-old farm employee.

It is said that Ndawula led a mob that pounced on Luboobi and lynched him, accusing him of allegedly stealing 10kilograms of beans, 2 saucepans and 2 hoes from his house.

Eyewitnesses said the mob punched Luboobi while others kicked him for the alleged crime.

Before the incident, Ndawula returned home and found some of his household items missing. His neighbours said they had seen Luboobi around the house in Ndawula's absence.

Eyewitnesses said Ndawula stormed a local bar with the mob, dragged Luboobi out and started beating him without explanation.

They added that his plea for innocence fell on deaf ears as they continued flogging him.

Luboobi has been tending to Ndawula's farm which has poultry and piggery among others for over two years.

In his statement to Police, Ndawula said Luboobi slipped and fell since he was under the influence of alcohol and that is what led to his death.

The Rakai DPC Hashim Kasinga, confirmed Ndawula's arrest adding that file no. RKI CRB142/17 was opened up against him. He added that he will be produced in court on charges of murder.

According to Kasinga, Police is collaborating with community leaders and residents in a bid to curtail such crimes in the district.

"We need to collaborate with a few residents who tend to know these wrong doers so that this hooliganism is eliminated in the area" Kasinga said.

He added that they are organising massive community policing to educate people about their roles and responsibilities in fighting crime.

Kasinga further attributed the increasing crimes to divisions and among different tribes in the district.

Luboobi becomes the 12th victim in a series of grisly incidents mainly murder, arson and mob justice Rakai has experienced since January.

Affected communities include Kyotera Town Council, Kasaali, Lwanda-Kooki, Kabira, Kakuuto and Kasensero in Kyebe Sub County.