Family seeks answers in slain pastor’s case

Clergy from Ankole led by Ankole Diocese bishop Sheldon Mwesigwa (L) lay a wreath on the casket of Rev Israel Ahimbisibwe during a funeral service held in his honour at St James Cathedral Ruharo, Mbarara on Monday. PHOTO BY COLLEB MUGUME

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Late Rev Ahimbisibwe’s family says mystery surrounds his death

Sheema.
As hundreds of mourners sent off the slain priest, his wife and son in Katete Village, Kagango Sub-county in Sheema District on Tuesday, family members continue to express their need to the truth about their death in USA.

Mourners sought to know how Rev Israel Ahimbisibwe, Dorcus Kashanku Ahimbisibwe, and Israel Ahimbisibwe Jr met their death.
While eulogising his older brother at the funeral, Mr Micheal Akankunda, said seeking the truth has been and remains a torturing experience to them.

“There are many unanswered questions regarding the death of these people. As a person who travelled to the US to collect the bodies, I got disturbed every time I tried to get these answers,” Mr Akankunda told the crestfallen mourners.

He said when he visited his late brother’s family residence, he could not figure out how people could be killed and spend days without being noticed, especially by neighbours.

The Ahimbisibwe’s are believed to have been killed on January 29, according to police in the US, but their brutal murder was discovered on February 5.

People yelled after seeing A-Plus funeral services vans delivering the three caskets.
Ankole Diocese Bishop Sheldon Mwesigwa rebuked Africans who do not value life.

“In 2013, a police report indicated that in greater Bushenyi region, 70 murder cases were reported. While in Mbarara (Rwizi) region they were 150 cases. This shows how we (Africans) no longer love each other. There is increasing jealous among families which is leading to some of these murders,” Bishop Mwesigwa said during his sermon.

The burial was attended by clergy from all parts of the country.
Their couple’s surviving son, Mr Emmanuel Ariho, who is studying in the US did not attend the burial.

judge not
The trio was early this month found dead in their apartment in West Houston, Texas in the US. Mr Isaac Tiharihondi, their 19-year-old son, has been charged with murdering his parents and brother. Bishop Mwesigwa asked mourners not to judge Mr Tiharihondi before the courts of law have made a conclusion on the case.