Student killed in bar brawl

Rukundo was stabbed in the wee hours of Sunday morning at New California T & J Transit bar and Hotel, a popular night spot and a hub for sex workers in Kabale town. COURTESY PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • Rukundo was stabbed in the wee hours of Sunday morning at New California T & J Transit bar and Hotel, a popular night spot and a hub for sex workers in Kabale town.
  • According to police, Rukundo was drinking while dancing with a woman when he was surrounded by a group of revellers led by a one, Tom, a resident of Kigongi A cell in Kigongi ward, Central Division Kabale Municipality leading to a clash.
  • Tom reportedly drew a knife from his pocket and stabbed Rukundo under his left armpit.

A third year student of Bishop Barham University College Kabale, a constituent college of Uganda Christian University (UCU) has died after being stabbed in a bar brawl.

The deceased was identified as 27-year-old Cleophas Rukundo, a student who was pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. He hailed from Hamuganda village in Bukoora Parish in Kitumba Sub county Kabale District.

Rukundo was stabbed in the wee hours of Sunday morning at New California T & J Transit bar and Hotel, a popular night spot and a hub for sex workers in Kabale town.

According to police, Rukundo was drinking while dancing with a woman when he was surrounded by a group of revellers led by a one, Tom, a resident of Kigongi A cell in Kigongi ward, Central Division Kabale Municipality leading to a clash.

Tom reportedly drew a knife from his pocket and stabbed Rukundo under his left armpit.

Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson, says Rukundo was rushed to Kabale Regional Referral hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

He says Rukundo's body is at the hospital mortuary waiting for postmortem. According to Maate, after the incident, Tom and his group fled into hiding.

Police has sealed off the hangout until further notice as investigations into the matter continue. He also warns students to concentrate on their studies instead of wasting time in entertainment places, which cannot add value to their academic performance.

Students told our reporter that Rukundo went to New California T & J Transit bar and Hotel to cerebrate after completing exams on Saturday.

Ronald Katungi Beinomugisha, the Public Relations Officer at Bishop Barham University College Kabale, declined to comment on the matter, saying the university will issue a statement about the incident later.

This is the second incident at New California T & J Transit bar and Hotel of similar nature in less than four months.

In May 2018, Stephen Kankiriho, a Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) soldier attached to the Special Forces Command (SFC) was also stabbed at the same pub by Joshua Tusingwire, a driver and resident of Muhamya village Nyarwanya parish Rubare Sub County Ntungamo district.

Kankiriho got into a fight with Tusingwire when he tried to forcefully grab a sex worker from him. Kankiriho was referred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital after health workers at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital failed to manage his condition.