Police in Rukungiri District have arrested a 28-year-old woman on allegations of murdering her former husband in a shocking incident that occurred in Buyanja Sub-county.
The suspect, identified as Patience Akankwasa, a resident of Nyamayenje Cell, Ndere Parish in Southern Division, Rukungiri Municipality, is accused of killing Bruce Nuwamanya, 32, of Rwenanura Cell, Nyabitete Parish, Buyanja Sub-county.
According to Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson Elly Maate, the incident occurred on June 3, 2026, at around 1pm at the deceased's home in Rwenanura Cell.
Maate said that a day earlier, on June 2, Nuwamanya had been summoned by local leaders following concerns raised by Akankwasa regarding support for their child.
The matter was handled by the area LC1 chairperson, Tugume Eriab, and the two reportedly agreed that Akankwasa would secure rental accommodation to be financed by Nuwamanya.
As part of the arrangement, she was reportedly given a mattress and blanket.
"On June 3 at around 1pm, the deceased gave Patience Shs70,000 for rent. She left but shortly returned at around 12:40pm allegedly concealing a knife. She entered Nuwamanya's house and found him having lunch with his current wife," Maate said.
According to police, Nuwamanya's wife had briefly moved to another room to keep away plates when she heard her husband raising an alarm.
"On returning, she found him bleeding after being cut by Patience," Maate added.
The wife immediately raised an alarm, attracting neighbours who responded and apprehended the suspect before police arrived.
The incident was subsequently reported to Buyanja Police Station by LC1 chairperson Tugume.
Police officers visited and documented the scene, recorded statements from witnesses and transported the body to Buyanja Health Centre for a postmortem examination.
Maate said the suspect narrowly escaped mob justice after residents turned against her following the incident.
"The suspect was rescued from an angry mob that had already inflicted head injuries on her and was rushed to Rukungiri Regional Referral Hospital for treatment," he said.
Police have registered a murder case and investigations are ongoing. Authorities say Akankwasa will be arraigned before court once she is discharged from hospital and deemed fit to stand trial.
