Murder in Nyakabande: Tribal Sentiments high as Batwa threaten Gahinga Residents over death of a Mutwa.
By Joshua Niyonshima
Residents of Gahinga village, Gisorora Parish in Nyakabande Sub County are living in fear of their lives after Batwa groups decided to camp in the village, following the arrest of the Chairperson Munyakabele Hezekiah on a murder related charges.
The arrest of Hezekiah Munyakabele comes on the backdrop of a suspicious death of another Mutwa, who has been identified as Ntambara.
The chairperson was arrested alongside Mukiiza Golden from Gahinga village.
Residents claim that since the Killing of a one Ntambara provoked the Batwa from different parts of Kisoro district to storm their village and have since refused to leave even after the burial.
According to residents, the Batwa have threatened to use machetes, bows and arrows to avenge their loved ones.
“We are being threatened by the Batwa, they are saying that they have machetes bows and arrows and they must kill at least 10 community members for them to feel okay.” One of the members laments.
Another member who preferred anonymity says, “The Batwa have resorted to drinking alcohol and smoking Marijuana, we are living under fear.”
Last week, a member from the Batwa community was killed by mob. According Nkurunziza Herbert, Ntambara may have been killed by the angry mob while avenging the life of Ngirabakunzi Rodgers who was allegedly murdered by Ntambara.
Herbert says that, one Ngirabakunzi Rodgers was allegedly stabbed by Ntambara. Rodgers was taken to St Francis, Mutolere Hospital for medication.
“Last week Rodgers came to the chairperson work place while bleeding, he was pleading for help from us, the chairperson who is my father issued him a letter for him to access a boda boda. He was taken to Mutolere hospital.” Rodgers narrates.
This angered residents who ganged up against Ntambara severely beating him up.
According to Herbert a mob appeared the next day at the Chairpersons work place, at the moment the chairperson Mr. Munyakabele was absent.
“This mob was so angry, I called the chairperson immediately who opened for the victim, he entered the house but the mob block the door and grabbed him again.” Nkurunziza recalls
Voice of Muhabura 88.9 also learnt that, the chairperson LC1 called on the O.C station Nyakabande and found that he had been transferred.
He also raised the Commanding Officer at Nyakabande military barracks who did not offer immediate help.
Sources say that Senior Politician Hon. Dr. Philemon Mateeke was called upon, who sent his personal body guards that rescued the situation.
The Nyakabande Sub County LCV Councilor Godfrey Rukara is now demanding for unconditional release of the LCI Chairperson claiming that he is innocent.
Councilors Rukara and Rukema at Kisoro central police station
He says his services are needed in the village.
Meanwhile, residents are calling for police deployment to stop any mob based on tribalistic Sentiments.
The chairperson Munyakabele Hezekiah is currently in police custody with Mukiiza Golden to aid police investigations.
Voice of Muhabura spoke to the Kisoro district DPC Steven Ogwang who said they are still looking into the matter.
More details on this story to follow.
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