Police in Rukungiri district is actively investigating circumstances under which two family members are said to have been killed by an angry mob accusing them of witch craft practices.
The deceased have been identified as Anet Kagyere 51 and Katarihwa Naris 48 both residents of Rwencweera cell, Rushasha parish, Nyakagyeme Sub County in Rukungiri district.
It is said that the duo was killed in the morning hours of Friday at around 7am near Nyarugando Health Center and their bodies were later set ablaze at the scene of crime.
According to Banard Tibebwa, the Rwencweera LC1 chairperson, the deceased were accused of witchcraft stressing that he has on several occasions been trying to solve their issues but all in vain.
“People were annoyed by the death of the brother to the former Rukungiri woman MP Betty Muzanira whom they suspect to have been bewitched by the duo,” Tibebwa said.
By the time of the incident, burial arrangements of the former legislator’s brother which were going on however brought to a standstill following the disappearance of all residents who participated in the mob action.
Police from Rukungiri central station led by District Police Commander(DPC) SP Musa Tibakirana rushed to the scene where they retrieved the charred bodies and conveyed them to Rwakabengo Health Center III for postmortem examination as investigations into the matter continue.
Speaking to the residents, SP Tibakirana condemned the mob act adding that those who were involved will be brought to book and charged accordingly.
“Stop believing in witchcraft and have well-organized societies to live in and in case of a misunderstanding please use the right channels to have your issues settled peacefully instead of taking the lives of innocent people,” SP Tibakirana said.
He called on residents to always report their grievances to responsible government authorities for assistance instead of mob justice that might throw them into trouble.