Ugandan Man on the Run After Allegedly Killing Wife and Neighbour

Police and residents in Ibanda District are searching for a 40-year-old man accused of killing his wife and a female neighbour before disappearing from the area.

The suspect, identified as Possiano Turyahebwa, is alleged to have carried out the deadly attacks in the early hours of Monday in Kyarufubangi Cell, Kanyenshenko Ward, Kagongo Division.

According to local authorities, the first victim was Turyahebwa’s wife, Phionah Nsimenta. Preliminary reports indicate that she was allegedly killed inside their home before her body was left locked in the house with the couple’s children.

Local Council I Chairperson Jackson Byamugisha said the suspect is then believed to have moved to a neighbouring home at around 5:00 a.m., where he allegedly attacked and killed Oliver Nalugo, a 39-year-old resident.

Byamugisha explained that local leaders were informed shortly after the incident and immediately contacted police, who rushed to the scene and launched investigations.

“From the information available so far, the suspect allegedly attacked his wife before proceeding to the neighbour’s residence, where the second victim was killed. Police responded promptly and investigations began immediately,” he said.

Family members of the deceased have described the incident as shocking and difficult to comprehend. Monica Nshemereirwe, a sister to Phionah Nsimenta, revealed that the suspect allegedly called her after the killings and asked whether she had received news about her sister’s death.

“He called and asked if I had heard what had happened to my sister. At that time, we were still trying to understand the situation. It was a very disturbing conversation,” Nshemereirwe said.

The Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Ibanda, Godfrey Guma Nabireeba, confirmed the incident and said security agencies are actively pursuing the suspect, who remains on the run.

Nabireeba noted that investigators are working to establish the motive behind the killings and reconstruct the events that led to the tragic deaths of the two women.

“Efforts to arrest the suspect are ongoing. We are also conducting thorough investigations to determine the exact circumstances surrounding this incident,” he said.

Authorities have appealed to members of the public to provide any information that could assist in locating the suspect and bringing him to justice.

The bodies of Phionah Nsimenta and Oliver Nalugo were taken to Ruhoko Health Centre IV for postmortem examinations as police continue with investigations.