In Kanungu, police have detained two individuals in connection with the alleged murder of Bernard Byamugisha, a 49-year-old farmer and resident of Bushoro Cell, Nyamigoye Parish in Kanyantorogo Sub County of Kanungu District.
The suspects, identified by Kigezi Region Police spokesperson ASP Elly Maate, are Ivan Ampumuza, 20, and Tukamushaba Morine, 23. Both are farmers and live in the same area as the victim.
Maate reported that on April 15, 2024, around 1:30 pm, Byamugisha went to his coffee plantation and did not return. The following day, his son Ampumuza (now a suspect) began asking neighbors about his father’s whereabouts.
Upon hearing this, community members initiated a search and discovered Byamugisha’s body in the coffee plantation, approximately 3 kilometers from his home. Maate revealed to the media that Byamugisha had been involved in ongoing family disputes, and his children had previously threatened him.
Byamugisha was found on his back with signs of strangulation on his neck. The police were alerted by Emmanuel Biryomumisho. Officers documented the crime scene, took statements, and conducted a postmortem before releasing the body for burial.
The arrested suspects, who are Byamugisha’s biological children, are being held for further investigation. The case has been registered at Kanungu CPS under reference number CRB.240/2024.
In a separate incident, Kanungu police have apprehended a suspect and are searching for others involved in the alleged assault and subsequent death of Ampaire Simpson, a 21-year-old laborer.
According to Maate, Simpson lived in Bugongo Cell, Nyakatunguru Ward, Kihihi Town Council, Kanungu District, and died a few days after the assault. On April 15, 2024, around 2:00 am, a man named Keneth informed Simpson’s sister that Simpson was unconscious on the road.
She found him on the floor of Keneth’s house, where he was moved to her home and died on April 17, 2024, at 8:00 am. Before his death, Simpson named his assailants as Keneth, Igni, and Brown.
The police were notified, visited the scene, took witness statements, and conducted a postmortem. One suspect has been arrested. Maate noted that Simpson had a bruise on his head and right arm, and investigations are underway to determine the motive behind the assault.