Relatives of the deceased, who later learned of his arrest, reportedly went to Nyabwishenya Police Station seeking information about his whereabouts. However, they were allegedly informed that he had already been released.
Police in Kisoro District are investigating a suspected murder by assault and an alleged secret burial involving a Congolese national identified only as Uwimana, aged about 30 years.
According to preliminary police findings, Uwimana was allegedly assaulted by a group of suspects, including Nsabimana John Bosco and Hakuzimana Mpunuseni, following a misunderstanding at a drinking place on May 6, 2026, at around 9:00 p.m. Hakuzimana has since been arrested as investigations continue.
Police reports indicate that the deceased allegedly threatened the suspects before he was severely beaten and later handed over to officers at Nyabwishenya Police Station. He was reportedly charged with threatening violence and detained at the station.
Authorities say that on the morning of May 7, 2026, at around 8:00 a.m., Uwimana was found dead while in custody under circumstances that are now under investigation.
Investigators further allege that instead of notifying higher authorities and following official procedures regarding the custodial death, some police officers allegedly connived with suspects and secretly buried the deceased during the night on land belonging to Hon. Kamara.
Relatives of the deceased, who later learned of his arrest, reportedly went to Nyabwishenya Police Station seeking information about his whereabouts. However, they were allegedly informed that he had already been released.
The matter escalated on May 8, 2026, when a group of Congolese nationals reportedly crossed into Uganda and attacked some of the suspects while demanding answers over the disappearance of their colleague.
Police officers at Nyabwishenya responded to contain the situation, although the incident was allegedly never reported to the District Police Commander (DPC).
According to police spokesperson Elly Maate, intelligence information later emerged indicating that some Congolese nationals were planning to attack Nyabwishenya Police Station in retaliation over the incident.
The information was reportedly obtained by Biso Busanza Kyaise Sowed, who alerted the DPC, prompting immediate deployment of security personnel to the area for fact-finding and to prevent possible violence.
As part of the ongoing investigations, three police officers attached to Nyabwishenya Police Station were arrested to assist with inquiries. The officers were identified as Cpl Musabimana Wickliffe, PC Apeti Kizito, and PC Yebuze Moris.
A team from CPS Kisoro has since visited the scene, and the suspected burial site has been identified pending exhumation of the body and a postmortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
Police say investigations into the suspected assault, custodial death, and alleged cover-up are ongoing.