Police in Rubirizi District have arrested Denis Owoyesigyire, a resident of Munyonyi A cell in Katanda Sub-county, on charges of allegedly killing his wife and three children on the 09, September 2023.
The victims have been identified as Asanansi Musimenta, 28, the wife, Andrew Akandwanaho 4, Javira Akanyijuka 3, and Davis Atwijukire 2years. The suspect is said to have hacked Akandwanaho on the head, cut Akanyijuka to the waist and smashed the two year old’s head before fleeing to his father’s home.
According to the Uganda police spokesperson Fred Enanga, the horrifying incident occurred when Owoyesigyire returned home after a night of drinking and initiated a quarrel that escalated into the violent altercation.
Enanga says in the heat of the moment, he reportedly grabbed a panga (machete) and brutally attacked his wife and children before fleeing the scene. He was eventually apprehended at his father’s residence within the same area.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect was heavily influenced by drugs and alcohol at the time of the crime.
Neriko Twesigye, the secretary of Defence for Munyonyi A cell, disclosed that the suspect had a history of mistreating his wife, accusing her of infidelity and neglect. He said Musimenta had previously reported several cases of assault to local council authorities and the police before this tragic and fatal incident occurred.
Enanga has condemned what he calls ‘cruel and inhuman acts of violence’, more so within the family.
“As indicated, children in toxic domestic settings continue to be at risk. It is unfortunate that the family was killed by a suspect, who was supposed to keep them safe. The suspect, is being charged with 4 counts of murder.” he says