Man, Pregnant Wife Killed in Land Dispute
According to reports, the attackers first set their house on fire, forcing the couple to flee. As they tried to escape, they were met by the assailants and mercilessly hacked to death.
A 22-year-old man and his pregnant wife of 18 were brutally killed Sunday afternoon over what residents of Kyansi village in Kyankoole Parish, Butenga Sub-county, Bukomansimbi District say is tied to long-standing land dispute.
At the centre of the gruesome murder of Joseph Bukenya and his wife Susan Namukasa, the residents say, is Kabuye Gusito.
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The horrific incident occurred around 3pm on Sunday when the attackers ambushed the couple at their home.
According to reports, the attackers first set their house on fire, forcing the couple to flee. As they tried to escape, they were met by the assailants and mercilessly hacked to death.
The woman's body was found near a neighbour’s house, while the man's body was discovered closer to their home, both bearing burn marks and machete wounds.
"They ran out of the house alive, but when they sought help, they encountered the attackers who killed them," said Jimmy Walugembe, a resident of Kyansi village.
"Fortunately, their child survived as she had spent the night at her grandmother's house. Otherwise, we could have had three dead bodies. It is also suspected that the woman was pregnant."
Relatives of the deceased revealed that the attack stemmed from a long-standing land dispute between Bukenya and his uncle, Kabuye Gusito, who had sold the kibanja to Bukenya.
Tensions escalated when Kabuye allegedly threatened violence, vowing to kill his nephew if he continued to claim ownership of the land.
John Bosco Wavamunno, the chairperson of Mukunyu Parish and a relative, recounted the threats Bukenya faced.
"He called me several times, even yesterday. He said our uncle Kabuye had shown him the boundaries of his kibanja, but when they exchanged words, Kabuye threatened him, saying, ‘If you deny the boundaries, you will die.’ Now, he has been murdered."
Another relative, Ronald Kasiita, revealed that Bukenya had reached out to him three days before the attack, fearing for his life and seeking refuge at his home in Sembabule. Sadly, he was killed before he could leave.
The two men were once close, but the land sale soured their relationship.
"They did everything together until Kabuye sold his kibanja to Bukenya," Kasiita said.
Mike Ssebandeke, the chairperson of Kyankoole Parish, echoed the belief that Bukenya’s death was a result of the kibanja dispute.
"He called me yesterday, wanting us to sit down and resolve the conflict. We had planned to meet today, but unfortunately, the dispute over boundaries has cost him his life."
Bukenya's mother, Joan Naggayi, was inconsolable as she recounted her last conversation with her son.
"I spoke to him at 11pm and warned him that he would die, but he reassured me, saying, 'No, mother, everything will be okay.' I told him they would cut him, but he didn’t believe me."
Namukasa's grandmother, Mangalitta Nantale, also condemned those responsible for her granddaughter’s murder.
Community Outrage
Residents have voiced their anger at the Kyansi village chairperson and his committee, accusing them of neglecting the matter despite Bukenya’s repeated complaints.
They claim the local authorities failed to address the dispute, which ultimately led to the tragic deaths.
Murders have become alarmingly frequent in Butenga Sub-county, with four people killed in the past two months, yet authorities have failed to provide any formal reports on the incidents.
Police have since arrived at the crime scene, examined the bodies, and launched a search for the suspects, including Kabuye Gusito, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the attack and is currently in hiding.
Security forces have also searched several shrines belonging to Gusito in their efforts to apprehend him.
Bukomansimbi Deputy Resident District Commissioner Fred Kalema Pax has assured the community that those responsible for the crime will be brought to justice.
He also issued a stern warning to local chairpersons, urging them to take immediate action in critical matters, especially land disputes, to prevent further violence.