By KT Reporter
Tension has gripped residents of Kabale Municipality following the killing of another person by suspected panga-wielding criminals on Independence Day. The deceased, Juma Rubanza, a well-known mechanic specializing in music electronics and audio speaker assembly at Bugongi Roundabout, was found murdered on Thursday morning.
Rubanza, a resident of Bupper Bugongi in Northern Division, Kabale Municipality, was discovered with multiple deep cuts all over his body. According to Salim Barugahare, the deceased’s brother, Rubanza’s body was found lying in a pool of blood in a eucalyptus plantation in Piida Village, Northern Division. Barugahare described the incident as a shocking and painful loss for the family.
Eric Karemeera, a resident of the area, expressed growing fear among the community due to the increasing attacks by panga-wielding gangs. He appealed to security agencies to intensify operations and apprehend all criminal elements terrorizing residents.
The Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson, Elly Maate, confirmed the incident, saying a police sniffer dog traced the scent from the crime scene to Boyz Pork Joint located along Kazooba Road in Lower Bugongi. Five suspects were arrested from the joint to assist with investigations.
Maate added that police recovered exhibits from the suspects, including a blood-stained T-shirt, a pair of shoes, and a sandal believed to be linked to the crime. The Kigezi Regional Police Commander, Alex Wabwiire, urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that security forces are working tirelessly to curb the rising wave of violent crime in the region.
So far, 112 suspects have been arrested in connection with various criminal acts in the Kigezi region over the past two weeks — 72 from Rukungiri Municipality, 20 from Kisoro Municipality, and 20 from Kabale Municipality. Among those detained in Kabale are 14 individuals recently released from Ndorwa Government Prison, where they had been serving sentences for burglary.
One of the key suspects in custody has been identified as Owen Arinda, alias Shakido, a first-year student pursuing a National Certificate in Agriculture at St. Ignatius University, Kabale. Arinda is among four suspects linked to a series of violent attacks and robberies on October 1, 2025.
During those attacks, Stephen, a security guard at Albertine Hotel Kabale, was hacked to death, while businesswoman Loyce Kanyoro sustained critical injuries. The gang also allegedly attacked the home of Sunday Kenneth in Nyabikoni, stealing a Toyota Noah registration number UBP 471V, which was later abandoned in Mwanjari after being used to transport stolen property.
The same group is suspected of assaulting Vian Ngororano, a 32-year-old employee of Kabale High Court, at Kamatojo Cell, Mwanjari Ward. Ngororano managed to fight back, injuring one of the attackers with a panga.
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