SFC arrests Mayuge family shooter
SFC soldier Pte Herbertson Birivumbika left his duty post and travelled to Mayuge where he killed Isaac Isabirye Mudhasi and three of his children
The Special Forces Command (SFC) has arrested a UPDF soldier who over the weekend shot dead four family members and injured others in Mayuge District in eastern Uganda.
SFC spokesperson Jimmy Omara said in a statement on Monday that Pte Herbertson Birivumbika, who is attached to the Special Forces Command, had escaped from his duty station and travelled to Namale Village, Kabayingire Parish, Buwaya Sub-county in Mayuge where he allegedly shot four family members dead and injured five others.
“Upon committing the offence, the said soldier then rushed back to his place of work in a bid to avoid any possible suspicion but his unit had already detected his absence,” Maj Omara said.
“Once he returned, he was arrested because all fingers pointed to him. He is detained in our facility awaiting the long arm of the law to dispense justice.”
The Saturday night incident sent shockwaves to residents in Mayuge when the soldier walked into the home of Isaac Isabirye Mudhasi, 42, who was found eviscerating chicken for a visitor and opened fire on the family members.
According to Mirabu Namukose, who had visited, Mudhasi and two of his daughters Elesi Kafuko, 15, Resty Kantono, 13, and a son Nicholus Mudhasi, 6, were killed on the spot, while his wife and four other family members sustained serious injuries.
The attack is alleged to be linked to a long-standing land dispute that has been ongoing.
In a statement on Monday morning, the SFC public information officer regretted the incident.
“This is a very sad and regrettable incident, we would like to condole with the affected families. As a Command, we would also like to ask the people of Namale to cooperate with the investigators so that the suspect is quickly brought forward to face the law,” Maj Omara said.
“As UPDF (SFC), we would like to assure the population that our strategic relationship with the wanainchi (citizens) will be highly maintained as we weed out errant members of the force.”
