Two Rwandan Nationals Arrested Over Alleged Murder in Rukiga

Police in Rukiga District have arrested two Rwandan nationals over the alleged murder of a 45-year-old man who was reportedly strangled to death during a domestic dispute on Monday night.

The Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson, Mr Nelson Tumushime, identified the deceased as James Vian Maliwa, a resident of Nyamatete Village, Rwimbogo Sub-county, Gatsibo District in Rwanda.

According to police, the suspects are 48-year-old Sitafania Nyirampakaniye, the deceased’s partner, and Sarah Asifiwe, a casual worker from Kagarama Village, Nyagatare District, Rwanda.

Mr Tumushime said the incident occurred at the couple’s rented home in Kikuto Village, Kashekye Parish, Kamwezi Sub-county, Rukiga District. Police allege that a domestic dispute broke out during the night, prompting Nyirampakaniye and Asifiwe to strangle Maliwa to death.

Condemning the incident, Mr Tumushime urged the public to report domestic disputes to police or local leaders instead of resorting to violence.

The incident comes amid a worrying increase in violent crime across the Kigezi region. Police records show that 12 murder cases have been registered in the area within the past two weeks. Authorities say the cases, involving mob justice, hacking, stabbing, assault and strangulation, have led to the arrest of several suspects who are awaiting prosecution.

In a separate incident on Tuesday, police in neighbouring Kabale District launched an investigation into an attempted murder by shooting in Nyakijumba Village, Kabale Municipality.