Angry residents set ablaze 10 houses avenging deceased relative

Kagadi, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Relatives of a local council chairperson who died after a bar brawl in Kagadi town council have torched more than ten houses to avenge his death. Geoffrey Byaruhanga, 47, the former LC1 chairperson of Nyamigisa cell in Mpeefu town council died on Friday last week following a fight in a local bar.

It is alleged that Byaruhanga picked a quarrel with Wilberforce Nsibomwana, a resident of the same area for an unknown reason leading to a scuffle. Nsibomwana hit Byaruhanga with a blunt object on the head and was rushed to Kagadi General Hospital, prompting Nsibomwana to flee into hiding.

On Monday evening, the deceased’s relatives ganged up together with other residents and attacked Nsibomwana’s family. They torched more than ten houses, destroyed crop gardens and killed several animals including goats and cows.

They also hacked and critically injured his 60 year old mother Nahome Nabasa, leaving her with wounds on the forehead and face. She is admitted at St. Ambrose charity health centre IV in Kagadi town with severe wounds.  Nabasa told URN on her hospital bed that she survived by God’s mercy.

Robert Nkwasiibwe, the LC 3 chairperson of Mpeefu sub-county has called for calm from the deceased’s family and relatives as police are handling the matter. Kenneth Bakashaba, the Kagadi District Police Commander says the hunt for the prime suspect is ongoing.

He condemned the mob justice by the deceased’s family and relatives, saying it was uncalled for. Nobody has been arrested in connection to the attack.

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