IBANDA, Uganda – Security agencies in Ibanda District have launched a manhunt for a 40-year-old man accused of killing his wife and a neighbour before fleeing the area in a suspected double murder that has shocked residents.
The suspect, identified as Possiano Turyahebwa, is alleged to have murdered his wife, Phionah Nsimenta, and later attacked and killed their neighbour, Oliver Nalugo, 39, during the early hours of Monday morning in Kyarufubangi Cell, Kanyenshenko Ward, Kagongo Division.
According to local authorities, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect first attacked his wife at their home before locking her body inside the house where their children were reportedly present.
Jackson Byamugisha, the Local Council I Chairperson of Kyarufubangi Cell, said the suspect is then believed to have moved to a neighbouring home, where the second victim was attacked and killed at around 5:00 a.m.
“From the information we received, the suspect is believed to have first attacked his wife and later moved to the neighbour’s home, where the second victim was killed. Police responded and investigations immediately commenced,” Byamugisha said.
The incident sparked alarm among residents, who alerted local leaders and security authorities shortly after discovering the bodies.
Monica Nshemereirwe, a sister to the deceased Phionah Nsimenta, revealed that the suspect allegedly contacted her shortly after the killings and inquired whether she had heard about her sister’s death.
“He called and asked whether I had heard what had happened to my sister. It was shocking because, at that point, we had not yet fully understood what had taken place,” Nshemereirwe said.
The Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Ibanda, Godfrey Guma Nabireeba, confirmed the incident and said security teams are actively searching for the suspect, who remains at large.
Nabireeba noted that investigators are working to establish the motive behind the killings and determine the exact circumstances that led to the tragic incident.
“Police investigations are ongoing, and efforts are underway to ensure the suspect is arrested. We also want to establish the exact circumstances surrounding this tragic incident,” Nabireeba 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 the two victims were transported to Ruhoko Health Centre IV for postmortem examinations as investigations continue.
The incident has left residents of Kyarufubangi Cell in shock and renewed concerns over rising cases of domestic violence and violent crime in communities across the country.
Keywords: Ibanda murder, double murder Uganda, Possiano Turyahebwa, Phionah Nsimenta, Oliver Nalugo, Ibanda crime news, Uganda police manhunt, domestic violence Uganda, Kagongo Division, Ruhoko Health Centre IV.
