Bukomansimbi Couple Murdered in Arson Attack, Two Suspects Arrested

Police in Bukomansimbi have arrested two individuals as the search for the prime suspect continues following the murder of Bukenya Joseph, a 30-year-old resident of Kyansi village, and his wife, Namukasa Susan, 20, who also resided in the same area.

SP Twaha Kasirye, the PRO for Greater Masaka, explained that at around 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 24th September 2024, in Kyansi village, Kyankoole parish, Butenga Subcounty, Bukomansimbi district, the couple was attacked by assailants who set their house on fire while they were asleep.

It is reported that Bukenya managed to open the door and attempted to fight off the attackers but had already sustained injuries from the fire, and they overpowered him. Meanwhile, Namukasa, who was also injured in the fire, ran to a neighbor’s house, calling for help.

According to the neighbor, identified only as Tamale, Namukasa repeatedly mentioned that a man known as Mugema Deus, aka Ciddy, son of Danto, along with another individual, had attacked their home and was killing her husband.

As Tamale attempted to open the door, he saw the assailants approaching and, in fear, closed the door again. The attackers then hacked Namukasa with a panga because she had recognized them.

Police were called to the scene, and teams of both uniformed and plainclothes personnel, including district SOCO led by D/CID ASP Akiring, responded, examined, and documented the scene.

All the household items were burnt to ashes, and both victims sustained fire injuries before being brutally hacked several times with sharp objects.

It is alleged that Bukenya had a land dispute with Kabuye Frank, a matter that was before the courts. On 22nd September 2024, Bukenya reportedly found Kabuye’s daughter harvesting yams on the disputed land. Bukenya confiscated her hand hoe and took it to Butenga police station, complaining that they were disturbing him over the land. Police advised him to wait for the court hearing.

Blood samples recovered from the scene are being analyzed, and two suspects have been arrested to assist with the investigation. These include Mugema Deus, aka Ciddy, 27, and Amumpaire Phiona, wife of Kabuye Frank (the prime suspect), who is currently on the run.

The bodies of the deceased have been transported to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital for postmortem examination.

Shortly after police left the scene, angry residents burned down Kabuye’s shrine and slaughtered one of his cows.