70 year old woman in Rubanda killed by mob over suspected witchcraft

Police in Rubanda district are investigating circumstances under which a mob descended on a 70-year-old woman identified as Bonekonsira Tasiime and beat her to death. The deceased was a resident of Ntungamo cell, Ntungamo parish, Ruhija sub county in Rubanda district.

According to Elly Maate the Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson, it is alleged that the deceased was suspected of having bewitched one Natukunda Eldance, a 16-year-old resident of Kinyogo village Ntungamo parish who had just died in a hospital in Kabale town on the 26/06/2021.

At around 10:00am on Saturday morning, a mob suspected to consist of relatives of Natukunda attacked the family of Bonekonsira at their home but they managed to escape for their lives. The group then set their house on fire and hunted for Bonekonsira whom they killed from Mataka village, Kiyebe parish.

“A report was made at Ruhija police station by Byarugaba Gerald LCI chairman Ntungamo and scene was visited by police led by a Ag. DPC ASP Echonga Bonny, D/CID D/Asp Aine and Soco. Body found with multiple injuries on the head, Post mortem done at scene by Police Surgeon, Exhibits including sticks and ash recovered, photos taken and statements of witnesses made” Maate said.

Other family members of the deceased still in hiding fearing for their lives and police are still searching for the suspects.