By Charles Etukuri
The Police in Rukiga district in western Uganda are investigating circumstances under which a Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) veteran was murdered, with his wife considered the prime suspect.
John Kataratambi, a 58-year-old army veteran, was a resident of Nyamirima cell, Rwenyangye parish in Kamwezi sub-county.
The prime suspect in his murder is 25-year-old Sarah Arebo, according to Police.
Elly Maate, the Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson, released a statement on the incident.
“It is alleged that on Friday, July 8, 2022, at around 1pm, Arebo left home and went to drink at the nearby trading centre in Nyamirima cell, while the husband was left taking care of their two children and father-in-law, a one Zavero Kitwekyoma.”
Later that same day, at around 11pm, Arebo returned home reportedly drunk.
“On reaching home, they were heard by the father in-law having a disagreement, which had always been the case, over alcoholism by the woman,” Maate said.
Details of what followed that late-night fight have not been reproduced with clarity.
The Police said the father-in-law later found Kataratambi lying in a pool of blood in the kitchen – dead.
Maate said suspect Arebo was reportedly attacked by a mob after the discovery of the body, with the LC2 chairperson of the area, Charles Bendakabi, intervening just in time to rescue her.
Bendakabi is said to have then alerted Kamwezi Police, who showed up and took her to Kamwezi Health Centre IV for medical attention after sustaining injuries during the attack.
“The scene was visited, postmortem examination done, and body handed over to relatives for burial,” said Maate, adding that Kataratambi’s body was found with a deep cut on the forehead.
A machete (panga) believed to have been used for the crime was recovered and exhibited.
Meanwhile, police investigations are going on.
