- Three die after drowning in a Koboko Hotel Well on Boxing Day
IGANGA – Busoga East police authorities have launched a manhunt for Muzafar Nabeta and his wife, Mirabu Mutesi, both residents of Buwongo village in Makutu sub-county, Bugweri district for their alleged connection in the death of Charles Balidawa.
It is alleged that Nabeta killed Balidawa after finding him in a compromising situation with Mutesi in the wee hours of Boxing Day.
Nabeta, a deal in produce, allegedly, left for a business trip in the neighbouring Bugiri district on Christmas night but on returning home the following day, he is said to have found Balidawa lying on the same bed with his wife in the couples’ marital home.
He reportedly reached out for a hoe, hitting Balidawa, who is said to have been dead asleep, on the head. According to neighbours, Mutesi screamed for assistance, attracting the attention of citizens. Balidawa was rushed to Iganga General Hospital but passed on, later in day.
The couple allegedly fled from the scene of the crime for fear of mob action.
The Village Defence Secretary, Zubair Wandera, said that Nabeta and Mutesi had been a peaceful couple, without any trace of infidelity, revealing that the village was shocked to receive such news. Diana Nandaula, the Busoga East region police spokesperson confirmed the incident, adding that the body of the deceased was awaiting post-mortem.
She noted that the search for Nabeta and Mutesi was underway, stressing that the couple will face two counts of murder and connivance to commit murder.
Nandaula challenged couples to seek counselling services from their in-laws, local leaders, and religious leaders to amicably resolve their marital differences rather than resort to violent means, which costs life and property.
Meanwhile, three people died after drowning in a well in Koboko Municipality, while attempting to draw water on Boxing Day.
The deceased were identified as Edward Zamali, a resident of Olengaku village in Dranya Sub-county; Bosco Candia and Robert Dramile – both residents of Lipa cell in the South division of Koboko municipality.
Josephine Angucia, the West Nile Region police spokesperson, confirmed the accident, saying it around Midday at Grina Gardens Hotel in Lipa cell, Mengo Ward, Koboko municipality after Candia and Dramile launched a failed mission to rescue Zamali.
Preliminary reports indicate that the well, which is in the compound of Grina Gardens Hotel, is about 13 feet deep and has water-clogged steps, which are suspected to have made Zamali slide down and drown.
Christine Mindreru, the Assistant Manager at Grina Gardens Hotel narrated that Zamali had been hired to pump out water for the facility’s clients in the rooms.
“We usually get water from the shadoof manually and fill the jerry cans for our customers. We somehow, decided to hire people with a generator to pump water out so that our guest rooms can feel at home, and the two accepted to do the work,” narrated Mindreru.
Phillip Achile, the LCI vice chairperson of Lipa cell in Koboko municipality called for calm amongst the locals, asking police authorities to introduce fire and emergency rescue services in the area.
Joseph Banga, the Koboko South Division LCIII 3 chairperson described the incident as unfortunate, noting that death had robbed the people of Koboko of energetic and resourceful youth.
The bodies of the deceased were transferred to Koboko Hospital for post-mortem.
