Two SFC soldiers, civilian arrested over murder

The army and police have confirmed the arrest of two soldiers and a civilian in connection with the murder of a farmer in Luweero District. 
 
Musa Kitinda Bisaso, a resident of Tweyanze Village in Katikamu Sub County was shot dead at his home on August 28, 2020. 
 
The civilian suspect aged 49 who is under police custody at Luweero Central Police Station is also a resident of the same village and a brother to the deceased; while the two soldiers both at the rank of private, are attached to the Special Forces Command based at Nakasongola Air Defence Division. Both are currently detained at Makindye Military Barracks in Kampala.
 
Maj Jimmy Omara, the spokesperson Special Forces Command confirmed the arrests over the weekend.
 
“It is true that two personnel attached to the SFC are under investigation in connection with the murder case registered at Luweero Central Police Station. The suspects will be arraigned before the Court Martial as soon as investigations are complete,” he said.

According to Mr Abraham Tukundane, the Luweero District Police Commander, the civilian suspect allegedly hired the soldiers to kill his brother. 
 
“We used the phone tracking system to get the suspects,” he told Daily Monitor on Monday.
 
About the murder

Local leaders and residents in an earlier interview with the Daily Monitor claimed that the deceased’s family had a long-standing dispute over a two and a half-acre piece of land that their late father left for the family. The dispute, according to the area Local Council Defence Secretary, Mr Rashid Kabaale, had greatly divided the family.
 
“We do not want to interfere with the investigation process, but the fact that we have somebody killed and his brothers decided to stay away when we are mourning the shocking death, points to something very strange. This possibly explains why everybody is questioning the suspicious behaviour of the deceased’s brothers and their failure to come and condole with the residents yet they are not miles away,” he said. 
 
Mr Kabaale said the assailant called the deceased to come out of the house, but the deceased refused. 
 
“When he later opened the door to go out of the house, he was shot dead. We heard the gunshots but could not come out of our respective houses. It was terrifying when we finally reached out to find out what had happened. Bisaso was lying in a pool of blood and fighting for his life. He breathed his last as we struggled to rush him to the nearby hospital,” he added.
 
Mr Bosco Byekalaze, the chairperson Tweyanze Village also expressed his displeasure that the land wrangle had not been brought to the attention of the local leaders although the entire village had learnt about a big rift within the family where particular members reportedly threatened to harm each other.
 
“I urge families that have similar disputes concerning land to not hesitate to bring such matters to the attention of authorities. I urge the family and residents to cooperate with the police investigation team so as to bring the culprits to book,” he said.
 
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