What you need to know:
- Kisoro leaders mourn businessman, wife killed in night shooting.
Police in Kisoro District are investigating the shooting deaths of a businessman and his wife, who were killed on Saturday night at the main gate of their home as they returned from their wholesale shop in Kisoro Town.
Kigezi Region Police spokesperson Nelson Tumushime said the incident occurred at about 11pm on October 17 in Zindiro Cell, Kamonyi Ward, Kisoro Municipality.
He identified the deceased as Africano Nteziyaremye and his wife, Peace Kyompeire.
“It is alleged the couple was attacked and shot dead by yet-to-be-identified assailants believed to be armed with a firearm, and their motive has not been known,” Mr Tumushime told Monitor.
He said police detectives and a canine unit examined the scene to collect evidence. No arrests had been made by Sunday, but efforts to identify and apprehend the suspects were ongoing.
The bodies were taken to Kisoro Hospital mortuary for postmortem examinations, Mr Tumushime said.
He appealed to anyone with information about the killings to share it with police or local leaders to help identify and prosecute those responsible.
Kamonyi Ward councillor Augustine Mbonigaba, who also serves as secretary for finance, planning and administration at Kisoro Municipal Council, described Nteziyaremye as a hardworking and generous businessman who supported needy residents and emerging traders.
“Every time we had public ceremonies in Kisoro Municipality, Africano Nteziyaremye used to provide material and cash contributions to support such events. He regularly gave food donations to the needy that came to him. We have lost a humble trader that was not only trusted by colleagues but the politicians and people in Kisoro town,” Mr Mbonigaba said.
Kisoro Deputy Resident District Commissioner Dan Ndikumwami said police and Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers had been deployed in the area to track down the attackers and prevent similar crimes.
He called for increased security in the border district, which neighbours Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and urged authorities to equip security personnel with patrol vehicles to improve their response to crime.
“We need to have at least a police patrol car in all the five constituencies of Kisoro District to provide quick means of transport for security personnel as they respond to criminal acts,” Mr Ndikumwami said.
He also urged local leaders in Kisoro Municipality to register foreigners renting residential rooms in their areas and record their business details, saying the measures would help prevent criminals from hiding in local communities.
Recent annual police crime reports have highlighted the toll of violent crime and road crashes in Uganda, with more than 15 people reportedly losing their lives daily to the two causes combined.