A prime suspect has spoken out about what triggered a grisly act that left four people dead and five injured. Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the weekend incident.
Special Forces Command (SFC) Public Information Officer, Maj Jimmy Omara, stated that Pte Herbertson Birivumbuka, attached to the elite military group, told interrogators he acted out of revenge.
“The suspect says he was prompted to act that way because he was informed that his late mother and wife were killed through poisoning; so, he acted in revenge,” Maj Omara explained in an interview yesterday.
He added, “Initially, the motive that was being considered was land, but when our interrogators asked him what amount of land could make him shoot nine people, he said, ‘the death of my mother and wife is linked to these people.'”
Maj Omara confirmed they have an ‘open and shut’ case against Pte Birivumbuka, who was arrested in Mbarara on Sunday. They will rely on his alibi or whereabouts on the night of the shootings.
However, Pte Birivumbuka’s arraignment before the SFC division court martial will depend on how quickly investigators gather evidence and statements from witnesses.
The deceased were identified as Isaac Mudasi Buyinza, the head of the family; Nicholas Musasizi, 6; Resty Kantono, 13; and Elesi Kafuko, 15. The injured include Ms. Jessica Timugibwa, Buyinza’s wife; Ms. Harriet Kyozira, his daughter; Ms. Viola Kyakuwaire, the sister-in-law; and a relative identified only as Maureen. They were taken to Iganga-Nakavule and Mulago hospitals.
The victims and suspects are related. The suspects include Pte Birivumbuka’s father, Patrick Tagoba, who is the late Buyinza’s brother; Mr. Sharif Mudasi, also known as Bosco Samanya, Pte Birivumbuka’s brother; and his wife, Grace Kalungi.
Earlier, Maj Omara mentioned that Pte Birivumbuka escaped from his workplace on June 29, went to Mayuge District where he allegedly committed the crime, and then returned to work to avoid suspicion.
Busoga East Police Spokesperson Diana Nandaula described Pte Birivumbuka as the missing link needed to complete the puzzle of the shootings.
Local leaders have reacted to the shooting. Buwaya Sub-county chairman Hussein Kamali reported that Buyinza had approached him and other local leaders for security, complaining that people wanted to kill him over ‘family issues.’ Nawanvubu Village chairman Mr. Siraje Tenywa confirmed that Buyinza had expressed fears for his life and was advised to file a formal complaint at Buwaya Police Station.
Namatale Village chairman Mr. Edward Baliddawa described the shooting as “the biggest tragedy in the 30 years he has been in office.”
