By Robert Segawa
Police in Mubende District have launched a manhunt for suspected thugs who raided villages in Kitenga Sub-county, killing a couple, including a pregnant woman, and seriously injuring three other people.
The attackers reportedly struck three villages in the early hours of October 9, 2026, when it was still dark, killing the couple, attacking other residents and stealing a motorcycle, cash and several mobile phones.
According to police, the incidents involved murder, attempted murder and aggravated robbery.
At Lukaya Village in Kitenga Sub-county, the suspects reportedly broke into the home of Sserwanja Ivan, 29, and his pregnant wife, Nakalanzi Rose, 26, and killed them before fleeing with a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle, registration number UFZ 589C, an unspecified amount of cash and two smartphones.
Lameck Kigozi, the Wamala Region police spokesperson, said the bodies were discovered after a child from a neighbouring home, identified as Birimuye Rose, went to the couple’s house and called out to them but received no response, despite the door being open.
The child alerted a neighbour, Kyarisima Loyce, who entered the house and found the couple lying lifeless in a pool of blood.
Kigozi said Kyarisima raised an alarm, attracting other residents, who subsequently reported the incident to police.
A homicide team led by the Mubende District Police Commander (DPC) visited the scene, where officers documented the crime scene and recorded statements from witnesses.
Police also deployed a canine unit to help trace the suspects, but heavy rainfall reportedly hampered the operation.
Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) recovered a bloodstained forked hoe, which was taken as an exhibit.
The bodies had multiple deep cut wounds to the heads and were conveyed to Mubende Regional Referral Hospital for postmortem examinations.
Police said the deceased were coffee dealers, raising suspicion that the attacks could have been economically motivated, although investigations are ongoing to establish the motive.
In a separate incident at Lukaya Village, Bugonzi Parish, at about 2:00am on October 9, Nalukenge Sophia, 40, was attacked inside her home after waking up to ease herself.
Kigozi said an unidentified man dressed in black struck her on the head with a blunt object.
Nalukenge reportedly raised an alarm, waking her elder daughter, who also called for help from neighbours.
The attacker fled with three smartphones and one basic mobile phone, while the injured woman was rushed to Royal Medical Clinic for treatment.
In another attack at Kayanja Village, Nsengwe Parish, unidentified assailants armed with a panga and a knife broke into the home of Tumwebaze Onesmus and his wife, Kukundakwe Agatha, during the night of October 9.
The suspects severely injured the couple before escaping with two mobile phones.
Police said investigators had gathered leads that were being pursued by Mubende Police in collaboration with the Wamala Region Flying Squad Unit to identify and apprehend the suspects.
Investigations into the attacks are ongoing.
