Mourner who confessed during vigil to killing electrician, selling his blood charged

A haunted mourner who confessed to killing an electrician in Kabale district during a vigil has been charged with murder alongside three other suspects. 

Conrad Ninsiima's lifeless body was discovered on the morning of May 13 dumped near the Kihumuro-Rushaki roundabout in Nyamabare village, Southern Division in Kabale municipality. The deceased had deep cuts on his throat, but strangely, there was no blood on him.

During his vigil later, Amos Turinawe, a resident of Nyamweru sub-county in neighbouring Rubanda district reportedly appeared before the mourners and confessed to his involvement in the murder of the 32-year-old.     

Turinawe revealed the details of the heinous act, explaining that Ninsiima was offered Torrero, a local gin, at Bambocha Bar and Lodges to intoxicate him.       

Turinawe claimed that he was the one who persuaded Ninsiima to accompany him to the bar after encountering him near the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) offices in Kigongi, Central Division in Kabale.

He also admitted to taking advantage of Ninsiima's inebriated state by luring him to a secret room, where he and the other suspects allegedly slit his throat using a knife. The suspects then reportedly drained the victim's blood into a red basin, which was subsequently handed over to a driver for transportation to Lake Bunyonyi for sale to an unidentified individual.     

The other suspects are Ben Kakuru and Sam Niwahereza - both workers at Bambocha Bar and Lodges, a popular spot for commercial sex workers located along Kigongi Main Street. Also arrested was Medard Atwebembeire, the manager of Standard hotel located on the same street.

A police officer at Kabale police station said that Pasiono Besigye, the proprietor of Bambocha bar who had been arrested in connection with the same act was released after Turinawe later changed his statement and exonerated him from being involved in the act.       

Appearing before Kabale Chief Magistrate’s court on Thursday afternoon, the suspects were charged with murder. Kabale grade one magistrate Rachael Tabaruka did not allow the suspects to take plea or say anything saying that the offense is capital in nature and can only be heard and tried by the High court.       

Tabaruka remanded them to Ndorwa government prison until July 4 when they will return to court for their case to be mentioned.          Christine Natukwasa, the deceased’s wife says that her prayer is to see court handing the suspects a heavy sentence. She says that she is now struggling to care for four children the husband left.

Elly Maate, police spokesperson for Kigezi region had earlier said that a night watchman at Bambocha bar, driver of the vehicle that transported Ninsiima's body to Rushaki, and the boda boda rider who was allegedly hired to transport the drained blood to Lake Bunyonyi where it was allegedly sold to an unnamed individual are still on the run.