A dispute over Shs20,000 has turned fatal in Kiboga District after a prominent coffee farmer was allegedly attacked with a panga by a casual labourer he had hired to pick coffee. Police have arrested the suspect, identified as Maniriho Baseme, 27, a resident of Kiryamuli Village, Nakasozi Parish, Nakasozi Sub-county in Kiboga District.
Baseme is accused of killing Vincent Ssengaga, 47, a farmer from the same village, following a disagreement over payment for coffee-picking work. According to Lameck Kigozi, the Wamala Regional Police spokesperson, the incident occurred on September 21, 2026, after Ssengaga hired Baseme and another casual labourer, identified as Ssenteza, to pick coffee from his farm for Shs20,000.
Kigozi says that at around 4:00 p.m., the two workers demanded their payment after work, but in vain. Police allege that Baseme then proposed taking a full tin of coffee as payment for the Shs 20,000, but Ssengaga objected and stopped him from taking the coffee.
The disagreement reportedly escalated into a heated verbal exchange. Kigozi says Ssengaga subsequently picked up a stick in an attempt to beat Baseme, prompting the suspect to allegedly pull out a panga and cut Ssengaga on the neck and left hand. Ssengaga sustained severe injuries and later died while being transferred to Kiboga Hospital after receiving initial treatment at Nakasozi Health Centre II.
The body was conveyed to the Kiboga Hospital mortuary pending a postmortem examination.Police in Kiboga dispatched a homicide team to the scene, accompanied by a canine unit. The dog helped officers track and arrest the suspect.
A blood-stained panga, believed to be the weapon used in the attack, was also recovered at the scene. The incident has renewed concerns about disputes between employers and casual labourers, particularly where payment terms are not clearly agreed upon before work begins.
Kigozi has urged members of the public to agree clearly on wages and the method and timing of payment before hiring casual workers, regardless of the type of work involved. He also cautioned both employers and workers against resorting to threats, physical confrontation or violence when disagreements arise.
“Where a payment dispute occurs, parties are encouraged to seek peaceful mediation or involve local leaders and police rather than taking matters into their own hands,” Kigozi said-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
