Kigezi was left in shock as a Valentine’s Day tragedy unfolded in Kabale District, where a man turned a day meant for love into one of horror.
The suspect, Nestor Natukunda, a 30-year-old casual laborer, allegedly butchered his 21-year-old wife, Shilla Ainembabazi, in a jealous rage at Nyarutuntu Cell, Butobere Ward, Central Division.
According to police reports, Ainembabazi had traveled to Kampala in early January to purchase supplies for a shop she intended to open. Upon her return, her husband accused her of infidelity and severely beat her, resulting in hospitalization. Though she was later discharged, the abuse had not ended.
On February 14, 2025, at approximately 5 PM, instead of showering his wife with love, Natukunda ambushed her and hacked her to death with a panga. In a disturbing twist, he then called his brother, Nicolas, confessing to the heinous crime. Nicolas, in turn, informed their father, who rushed home, confirmed the murder, and immediately reported it to Kabale Police Station.
The police homicide team, led by District CID Officer SP Mukama Hakim, quickly responded to the crime scene. They recovered the blood-stained panga from a sweet potato garden across the road, where the suspect had dumped it. The body was taken to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital for a postmortem examination.
Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson ASP Elly Maate condemned the act, stating, “This is a tragic case of domestic violence that should never have happened. We continue to urge couples to seek peaceful resolutions to conflicts rather than resorting to violence.”
Natukunda was arrested and is currently in police custody. He faces murder charges and will be arraigned in court upon completion of investigations.
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