Residents of Kyarufubangi Cell in Kanyenshenko Ward, Kagongo Division, Ibanda District, are currently on the hunt for a man who allegedly killed two women, including his wife, before fleeing the area.
The suspect, identified as Possiano Turyahebwa, 40, is accused of killing his wife, Phionah Nsimenta, before allegedly attacking and killing their neighbour, Oliver Nalugo, 39, in the early hours of Monday morning.
According to the Local Council I Chairperson of Kyarufubangi Cell, Jackson Byamugisha, preliminary findings indicate that the suspect allegedly killed his wife first and locked her body inside the house with the children before proceeding to attack the second victim at around 5:00 a.m.
Byamugisha said local leaders were alerted shortly after the incident and immediately informed police, who responded to the scene and launched investigations.
“From the information we received, the suspect is believed to have first attacked his wife and later moved to the neighbour’s home, where the second victim was killed. Police responded and investigations immediately commenced,” Byamugisha said.
Monica Nshemereirwe, a sister of the deceased Phionah Nsimenta, said the suspect allegedly contacted her shortly after the incident and asked whether she had received information about her sister’s death.
“He called and asked whether I had heard what had happened to my sister. It was shocking because, at that point, we had not yet fully understood what had taken place,” Nshemereirwe said.
The Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Ibanda District, Godfrey Guma Nabireeba, confirmed the incident and said the suspect remains at large.
Nabireeba said security agencies have intensified efforts to track down the suspect and establish the motive behind the killings.
“Police investigations are ongoing, and efforts are underway to ensure the suspect is arrested. We also want to establish the exact circumstances surrounding this tragic incident,” Nabireeba said.
Authorities have appealed to members of the public with information that could lead to the suspect's arrest to cooperate with security agencies.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to Ruhoko Health Centre IV for postmortem examinations as investigations continue.