Rakai man dies after arson attack

DEATH|ARSON|CRIME|POLICE

RAKAI - The police in Rakai are investigating a gruesome incident in which a man in Lukondo village in Kamukalo parish, Byakanda sub-county was attacked by unknown assailants and torched him.

It is said that John Mukaaya, 22, was alone in the house when he was attacked on Tuesday night at around 2am.

Residents said that the attackers spilt petrol in his house and lit it up before they disappeared shortly.

His neighbors, who responded to his alarm, reached the house when he was critically burnt and unconscious.
According to Siraje Kato Mujuzi, the Chairman Kakakata the next village and colleague to the deceased, they rushed him to Rakai hospital which referred him to Kitovu hospital.

Mujuzi added that Kitovu hospital also referred him to Mulago National Referral Hospital but he died on the way. He said that the ambulance transported the body to Lukondo village.

"We tried our best but he died on the way to Kampala. It is unfortunate that he died in unexplained circumstances," he said.

Police reached the scene and established that the deceased allegedly had an affair with the wife of a fellow resident identified as Fulugensio Jjuuko, 40.

Mukaaye's father Joseph Kizza, said his son was peaceful and always avoided trouble.

He explained that the allegations about his affair with Jjuuko's wife are still baseless adding that if they were true he would have lodged a case with the police for redress.
According to Ben Niwamanya, the Rakai Police Commander, the assailants climbed the house and used the ring-beam opening to spill petrol on Mukaaya who was in deep sleep.

He adds that the whole house caught fire but the neighbors momentarily rescued him but died later.

He explained that a post mortem was done at the deceased's home and police allowed his family members to proceed with the burial.

ASP Muhammad Nsubuga, the Masaka Regional Police Spokesperson, said they have arrested Jjuuko following reports that he has always threatened Mukaaya.

He added that they are detaining the Jjuuko at Rakai Police Station as investigations continue.

However, Jjuuko denied the accusations but declined to divulge more about the incident.

Shortly after police left the venue, residents rioted and knocked his house down and cut down his banana plantation in retaliation for his alleged crime.

But police returned and dispersed the charged residents and later quell the situation.