Man dies by suicide after killing wife, baby in Luuka
What you need to know:
- Preliminary accounts suggest the woman and her child were lured to the swamp before being attacked.
Police in eastern Uganda are investigating a gruesome case of suspected domestic violence after a man allegedly killed his wife and her one-year-old child before hanging himself in a swamp in Luuka District.
Authorities identified the deceased as Joshua Mukisa, his partner Winnie Kafuko, and her infant child. The triple tragedy occurred in Bugonza Village, Ikumbya sub-county.
According to the local LC3 chairperson, Wilberforce Ntumba, villagers first discovered Mukisa’s body hanging from a tree in a nearby swamp on Wednesday. A subsequent search led to the discovery of the mutilated bodies of Kafuko and the child.
“I first got information that there was a person hanging dead in the swamp,” Mr Ntumba told journalists.
He added: “But shortly after, the residents informed me about the discovery of the wife and child nearby.”
Mr Ntumba said Mukisa appeared to have left a note at the scene, in which he admitted to killing the woman and the child before taking his own life.
Preliminary accounts suggest the woman and her child were lured to the swamp before being attacked.
Mr Ntumba added that Mukisa had recently married Kafuko, who came into the relationship with the child.
Winnie Kafuko’s father, Paul Buyinza, confirmed the deaths and expressed disbelief at the alleged actions of his son-in-law.
“I am shocked that this man did this to my daughter,” Mr Buyinza said. “He was so soft-spoken, hardly said a word, and was not the kind of person you would expect to cause chaos.”
He described Mukisa as quiet and unassuming, saying he avoided confrontational or public situations such as political gatherings.
Police were yet to issue an official statement by press time. Investigations are ongoing.
The incident has renewed calls for increased mental health support and awareness around domestic violence in Uganda’s rural communities.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or emotional distress, local authorities urge contacting the nearest police station or seeking professional help.
