Residents of Maheru village in Rwamucucu Sub-county, Rukiga District, are demanding justice following the release of Agatha Tana, a key suspect in the alleged murder of Moses Byekwaso, a 46-year-old security guard.
Byekwaso was found dead in November last year at Tana’s residence under suspicious circumstances.
Angry locals have criticised the Kabale High Court's decision to grant bail to Tana while three co-accused remain remanded in Ndorwa Prison.
The residents claim the move undermines their trust in the judicial process.
"We're perturbed by how the Kabale High Court is handling our case. So someone is killed, and the key suspect is left to roam?" questioned Tumushange Loyda, the sister of the deceased.
Byekwaso’s body was discovered on 6th November 2024 in Tana’s bedroom with a deep wound on the head, multiple cuts on the legs, and a phone charger around his neck. Some family members and residents allege this was staged to suggest suicide.
"I personally saw the body of Moses, and he had a deep wound on his head and deep cuts on his legs," said Kyarwe Justus, a local resident.
"The accused claim that Moses committed suicide, but the evidence doesn’t add up. Normally, someone who hangs themselves has wide-open eyes and their tongue protrudes, which was not the case with Moses," explained Provia Kyerere, a local leader.
The police, after being notified, visited the scene and transported the body to Mparo Health Centre IV for a post-mortem.
Tana and three others were subsequently arrested and charged with murder. However, Tana was later granted bail, sparking outrage among the grieving family and residents.
Tukamushaba Martin, the deceased's son, expressed frustration over the court’s decision. "We hail from a very poor family and have no capacity to seek revenge. We left everything to the government to ensure justice, but we are surprised to see the key suspect roaming around while the co-accused are still in prison."
Lawyer George Musisi explained that bail is a constitutional right based on the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
"Any person charged with an offence, no matter how grave, is presumed innocent until court proves otherwise. Bail is an individual application, and the court may decide differently for each accused," Musisi noted.
He emphasised that the release of one suspect does not imply judicial wrongdoing. "Even if there are 20 suspects on the same charge sheet, each applies for bail individually. The court evaluates each application separately," he added.
Despite the legal clarifications, tensions remain high in Maheru village. The community and Byekwaso's family insist on a transparent judicial process and equal treatment for all suspects in the case.
The residents are urging the government and judiciary to ensure that justice is served, reassuring the community that the case is being handled with fairness and integrity.