By KT Reporter
Police in Rubirizi District have launched investigations into a suspected suicide involving a 53-year-old woman found hanging in a tree. The woman was discovered on Friday evening in Katara III Village, Katera Parish, Kichwamba Sub-county.
Apollo Tayebwa, spokesperson for the Greater Bushenyi Region Police, identified the deceased as Manuelina Katushabe. Tayebwa stated that Katushabe was found hanging from a tree in her garden in Kyamengo, Katara Parish.
John Patrick Behangana, LC1 Chairperson of Katara III Village, said Katushabe’s family had experienced long-standing domestic conflicts, primarily concerning a 13-year-old girl alleged to be an illegitimate child, along with other household misunderstandings.
“As leaders, we tried several times to mediate between them, but tensions persisted. It’s excruciating to see that this conflict has ended in such a tragic way,” said Behangana.
Deo Makaya, Katushabe’s husband, said she had been missing for four days. He explained that on Tuesday, he left home to tend to his gardens, expecting his wife to join him as usual. However, she did not arrive, and upon returning home, he found her absent.
He reported her disappearance to the police, and the chairperson, family, and neighbors searched. After four days, they discovered her body hanging from a nearby tree. Julius Masereka, Officer-in-Charge of Kichwamba Police Station, expressed concern over the rising rate of domestic violence in Rubirizi, noting that they register over three cases daily. He warned that domestic violence has left many families broken, children orphaned, and communities traumatized.
Caroline Twinomugisha, a village councilor, said she is sometimes overwhelmed by the number of families experiencing domestic violence, especially initiated by men. She stated that most cases stem from land disputes, children born outside marriage, and alcohol abuse.
Sadam Mugisha voiced concern over the increasing domestic violence cases in Kichwamba Sub-county, many of which have resulted in tragic deaths in recent months. He appealed to community members, religious leaders, and local authorities to collaborate in fighting domestic violence and promoting family dialogue and reconciliation.
Meanwhile, ten people from villages in Ishaka Division were attacked and robbed of property, including mobile phones and money.
Apollo Tayebwa, Greater Bushenyi Police public relations officer, said the victims were attacked by an unknown group wielding machetes in the villages of Katungu, Bwegiragye, and Ibaare in Bushenyi District.
Tayebwa added that several victims sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at Kampala International University Teaching Hospital in Ishaka. Preliminary findings indicate that all the locations where the attacks occurred lacked lights and CCTV cameras.
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