Mob Justice Leaves Two Dead in Rubanda After Man is Stoned to Death

The deceased have been identified as Arineitwe Prosper, 54, and Ruhangariyo Osbert, 26, both residents of Kiriba Village, Kagunga Parish in Bufumdi Sub-county.

Police in Rubanda District have launched investigations into a double murder that claimed the lives of two men in Bufumdi Sub-county, with authorities condemning mob justice and urging the public to cooperate with ongoing inquiries.

The deceased have been identified as Arineitwe Prosper, 54, and Ruhangariyo Osbert, 26, both residents of Kiriba Village, Kagunga Parish in Bufumdi Sub-county.

According to Kigezi Region Police spokesperson SP Nelson Tumushime, the incident stemmed from an attack that occurred on the night of July 28, 2026. It is alleged that Arineitwe was returning home from a nearby trading centre at around 10:00 p.m. when he was trailed by unknown assailants and fatally assaulted with stones.

Following the killing, angry residents reportedly suspected Ruhangariyo, who is said to have had a longstanding family conflict with the deceased. The residents allegedly tracked him down, tied his hands with a rope and lynched him. His body was later abandoned beside that of his uncle, Arineitwe, along a village road.

Police responded to the scene and transported both bodies to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital for postmortem examinations as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths continue.

SP Tumushime condemned the resort to mob justice and appealed to the public to allow the law to take its course. He urged anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible for Arineitwe’s murder to report it to the police.

He also called on residents to remain calm and avoid speculation that could interfere with investigations, assuring the affected families that every effort is being made to ensure all those responsible are brought to justice.

Police say investigations into both incidents are ongoing.

Meanwhile, Three suspects have been arraigned before the Bwera Magistrate’s Court over the alleged murder of a Local Council I (LC I) chairperson candidate in Kasese District.

The deceased, identified as Masereka Pauline, 55, was the incumbent LC I chairperson of Bwimaniro Cell and was seeking re-election in the ongoing Local Council polls.

According to the Rwenzori East Regional Police spokesperson, ASP Elly Maate, Masereka reportedly left home to conduct door-to-door campaigns but failed to return.

Police say that at around midnight, he was brought back home in critical condition by a group of men who later left the scene. His condition worsened the following morning, and he was rushed to Kyarumba Valley Health Clinic at around 10:00 a.m., where he died an hour later.

Initially, relatives prepared for burial, but family members became suspicious about the circumstances surrounding his death and reported the matter to police.

The body was recovered and taken to Bwera Hospital for a postmortem examination, which established that Masereka had died from strangulation.

Investigations led to the arrest of three men who were reportedly the last people seen with the deceased after they had spent time together at local bars.

The suspects are Seriwayo Jackson Kano, 67, an NRM candidate who was contesting against the deceased in the same election, Muhindo Gilbert, 30, and Kyakimwa Pesi, also known as Nyasimwe. All are residents of Bwinamiro Cell, Nyakeya Ward, Kyarumba Town Council in Kasese District.

ASP Maate confirmed that investigations were completed and the three suspects were on Thursday presented before the Bwera Magistrate’s Court to answer charges related to the alleged murder.

Police say inquiries into the case are ongoing.