Man chops off friend's ear over sh1,500 debt

The Kibaale police are hunting for an 18-year-old man for allegedly chopping off the ear of his friend after a quarrel over sh1,500 debt.

Assistant Superintendent of Police, Thomas Oyo, the officer in charge Kibaale Police station identified the suspect as Antonio Katende a resident of Kigaaza village in Bwamiramira Sub County Kibaale District.

"We are hunting for Katende over alleged assault and attempted murder. people should desist from taking the law into their hands. We have many offices that can handle conflicts such as local council offices, probation office, family and children protection unit at police which should be used," he said.

He appeals to whoever glances at the suspect to tip off police for immediate arrested and prosecution of the suspect.

Katende purportedly chopped off the ear of Gerald Tumusiime on Saturday morning when he allegedly demanded sh1,500 that he had worked for at the home of Gerald in the same area.

Tumusiime is reported to have collected firewood from the nearby bush and was promised to be given sh1500 upon completion of the task.

Katende allegedly used a panga during the scuffle while at Kigaaza trading centre to chop Gerald's ears after refusing to give him the money.

Gerald Tumusiime is currently nursing wounds at EMESCO Health Centre in Karuguuza town in Kibaale district.

John Tusabe, a brother to the victim said, Tumusiime has been doing casual work in Kigaaza village by chopping and collecting firewood for alcohol distillation as well as cleaning compounds in homesteads of residents in the village.

Steven Katusabe, the Kigaaza, LC1 chairman, said Katende is a menace in the village and added that many cases related to violence had been reported in his office. He further said he is a suspected drug addict in the village through smoking marijuana and alcohol.