KYENJOJO: Joint Security Team Arrest 5 Suspects In Children Murder

By Francis Otucu

A Joint Task Team comprising of homicide, flying squad and Kyenjojo Police, has arrested five suspects in connection with the gruesome murder of five children in Kyenjojo.

The incident in which Barbra Atuhaire, 7, Oscar Alinganiza, 4, Linet Ayinebyona, 3, and Devis Tulinomugisha, 2 and a one-month Abwooli were killed happened on the night of March 13, 2019 in Kahompo village Bufunjo sub county Kyenjonjo district, when the attackers broke the door and gained access to the house.  The attackers traced for Tumwebaze Joseph, their father, but found when he was not around; and instead attacked the five children in their bedroom and hacked them all to death.  They further attacked, seriously assaulted Tumwebaze’s wife and dumped her body into Kahompo River, thinking she was dead. She was however rescued the following morning and rushed to hospital where she is undergoing treatment.

The arrested suspects include; Balyeija Justus aka Yusi, his wife Akampasa Keli, Muhereza Lauben and his wife Alinda Sylvia.  The team further tracked down and arrested Allan Turyahikayo, from Ntinda and transferred him to Kyenjojo.

Police spokesman Fred Enanga confirmed arrest of the said suspects. According to Enanga, preliminary information indicates that the suspects hatched a plot in their home to carry a revenge attack on the family of Tumwebaze, after he facilitated the release of his brother Godfrey Ndyanabo, who was  imprisoned for the murder of their brother, Bright, in 2012.  “Two of his brothers Allan Turyahikaya and Justus Balyeija were not convinced with the out-of-court settlement between the two families and repeatedly threatened to revenge the life of their brother.  The suspects have confessed to the murder and also led the task team to the recovery of a blood stained shirt to one of the child victims and pangas used as murder weapons,” Enanga explained.

Enanga said the police have also established the identity of the other two suspects on the run as Fred Byaruhanga and Emmanuel Kagurane in who perpetrated the murder, and track them down for arrest.  “We continue to appeal to anyone with information surrounding their whereabouts to contact us or share it in confidence,” he said.

He added: “The police strongly condemns the revenge attacks and killing of civilians including children, as there is no justification for such extra ordinary degree of violence.  The suspects are to be charged with 5 counts of murder and 1 count of attempted murder. We have deployed a specifically trained team of family liaison officers to counsel and support the surviving family members during this tragic moment.”