By KT Reporter
A 48-year-old trailer driver has been killed by unknown assailants along the Kabale–Mbarara highway in Rukiga District, who also made off with 50 bags of rice.
The deceased, identified as Bernard Katabazi, a resident of Kyanika Village, Ndangaro Parish, Rutoto Sub-county in Rubirizi District, was attacked on Friday night (September 19, 2025) at around 8:00 pm at Habufureeka Trading Centre in Kitabutaza Village, Bukinda Parish, Bukinda Sub-county—a spot separating Rukiga and Kabale districts.
Katabazi was driving a Mercedes Benz Actros trailer registration number RAE 415A/RL2943 belonging to SOCO PRODI Limited Rwanda. The vehicle was loaded with 35 tonnes of rice from Rwanda, destined for the Mpondwe border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
On reaching Habufureeka, assailants reportedly intercepted the truck, broke into it, and stole 50 bags of rice, which they loaded into their own vehicle. They then cut Katabazi several times, smashed his head, and dumped his body in the middle of the road before fleeing.
Chris Goloba, a fellow driver who identified the deceased and alerted police, described the killing as shocking. He urged security agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter and apprehend those responsible.
Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson Elly Maate confirmed the killing, saying Katabazi’s body was taken to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem, as investigations and efforts to track the suspects continue.
Katabazi’s murder comes just a day after another gruesome killing in the same district. On Thursday, 28-year-old boda boda rider Henry Mugume, a resident of Kirimbe Village in Kandago Parish, Bukinda Sub-county, was found dead in a swamp at Rwabahazi Village, Muhanga Ward, Muhanga Town Council.
His Bajaj Boxer motorcycle, registration number UMA 409AG, was stolen by his assailants.
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