Shock gripped residents of Chihe parish, Nyakinama Sub County in Kisoro district following the discovery of a 34-year-old man, floating on the shores of Lake Mutanda.
The deceased has been identified as Niyonsaba Jackson, a resident of Ruhengeri Village in Busamba Ward, Kisoro Municipality.
Eyewitnesses say he was a known casual laborer, loading and offloading goods from lorries in Kisoro town.
Ndahiro James, the LC3 Chairperson of Southern Division, who is also a relative to the deceased, says the family received information that Jackson had taken the route towards Lake Mutanda.
“We heard that he had went towards Late Mutanda, and we thought maybe he was attempting to commit suicide.”
Ndahiro adds that the deceased has been battling mental illness.
“In February this year, Jackson attempted to harm himself with a panga. He tried to cut his neck. We have severally tried to seek medical help, but we have not been successful,” said Ndahiro.
According to Ndahiro, the Niyonsaba did not return home on Tuesday evening, raising fears of his safety. A search was conducted, but yielded no results.
It is not until Wednesday morning when children gathering firewood spotted something floating on the water.
Residents of Nyakinama say that the children later alerted other people, who informed police, and later the deceased’s relatives.
The body of the deceased was retrieved and taken to Kisoro Hospital, before being handed over to relatives for burial.
Police is yet to release a statement on the incident.
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