There was shock when the lifeless body of Living Aryatwijuka, a 40-year-old catechist from Kigezi Diocese in Kabale district, was discovered floating in River Rwabakazi.
Aryatwijuka, associated with Rubira Church of Uganda, had been reported missing on January 15, 2024, having been seen leaving his home on his motorcycle around 10:00 am that Monday.
Concerned relatives and residents initiated a search on Tuesday, uncovering his abandoned motorcycle, church books, and a church money receipt along the Kabale-Mbarara road in Rubira village. On Saturday evening, Aryatwijuka’s decomposing body was found trapped in the waters of River Rwabakazi at Kyanamira Bridge.
Gad Niwamanya, a teacher at Kitags Primary School, expressed sorrow, stating, “Since Monday, we have been living in sorrow after the disappearance of the Catechist.”
Rev Sam Bahati, the parish priest of Kigata COU parish under Kikungiri Archdeaconry, who closely collaborated with Aryatwijuka, remarked, “It’s painful and a pity that some people, from those we always preach to, can commit such acts targeting our lives.”
Rev Golden Akatuhurira, a priest of Kaharo COU, conveyed shock and speechlessness, appealing to wrongdoers to repent and turn to Christ.
Elly Maate, the Kigezi region police spokesperson, confirmed the catechist’s death, stating, “As police, we registered a missing person case on January 16, 2024, but unfortunately, his body was found in a river.”
He added that police visited the scene, the body was taken for postmortem, and efforts were underway to establish the circumstances leading to the death. Maate emphasized, “The disappearance case has been substituted with murder,” urging the public to assist in the ongoing investigation.
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