The Police in the Albertine Region are investigating circumstances under which two relatives brutally murdered eight family members by cutting and injuring nine.
Julius Allan Hakiza, the spokesperson Albertine region has identified the suspects as David Munyirambe alias Richard (36) and Obedi Baguma (33).
Hakiza said that the duo accused their family members of refusing to join their newly formed “God holy Spirit Son of Man” cult.
The deceased include; Yokania Isakara (76), Elinora Kabugho (64), Boniface Munyirambe (41), Ferdinand Baluku (13), Olive Kabugho (13), Masiika Kabagenyi (3) and Praise Muhindo (7).
The survivors with severe cuts include; Christine Biira (24), Kakimwe Nipola (45), Rogers Nzabara, Joy Bambi, Isaac Zakaria, Biira Birungi and other two children who are yet to be identified.
Hakiza said that the incident happened on October 29, 2024 at 9:00pm at Mizizi A village in Kyaterekera sub-county, Kagadi district.
The suspects, Baguma and Munyirambe are said to have used sharp pangas to hack to death their parents and other relatives for allegedly refusing to back them up on their new sect of ‘God Holy Spirit Son of Man’.
Hakiza said that the parents refused to denounce their religion of Seventh-Day Adventist for the new sect, hence leading to the attack.
It is alleged that the suspects, Baguma and Munyirambe were shot dead as they intended to attack the security personnel that responded to the scene of crime.
The deceased’s bodies were taken to Kagadi Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination whereas the injured were admitted in different health units at Kyaterekera.
The Kagadi RDC Lillian Ruteraho dismissed the threats of rebel attacks adding that UPDF, police, and the Internal Security Organization (ISO) are actively searching for more culprits as investigations continue.
Ruteraho appealed to the public to remain calm and share with security any information that could help in bringing the perpetrators to book.
Some survivors including Jesse Masereka said the deceased suspects Baguma and Munyirambe have been harassing members of the community accusing them of not worshiping their god and for not subscribing to their cult.
Meanwhile, other residents led by Samuel Ntirenganya said the assailants exited the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church to form their own cult and since the break away, have been threatening residents to join their religious formation if they didn’t want to be killed.
Residents have asked security to make thorough investigations to comb out other extremist remnants from their area.
