Disaster struck Kyakabaka village, Gayaza-Mbulire parish, Kitanda sub-county, Bukomansimbi District, in the form of a tragic fire that claimed the lives of two infants, prompting a police investigation into possible foul play.
Teopista Katiiti, aged 4, and Robert Muyombya, a 2-year-old, were reportedly locked inside their house by their mother, Annet Namyaalo, before the fire broke out.
“We received reports of a fire at around midnight, and upon arrival, we found the house completely engulfed. Sadly, the two children did not survive,” Damiaano Kato, the village chairperson, said.
Local authorities suspect the fire may have been linked to ongoing domestic conflicts between the children’s parents.
Namyaalo, the mother, has since been arrested, while the children’s father, Isaac Kizza Katumwa, is said to be on the run.
According to the chairperson, Kato, the couple had a history of violent disputes, often fueled by excessive alcohol consumption.
Residents claim Katumwa fled the village after learning of his children’s deaths, raising suspicion about his role in the tragedy.
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Community members blame alcohol abuse for the persistent domestic violence in the household.
Teopista Nantege, the village women’s leader, mentioned that Namyaalo had repeatedly accused her husband of infidelity and often resorted to destructive behavior during their fights.
“She frequently filed complaints against her husband, despite being advised to settle matters amicably,” Nantege noted.
Other residents, including Kamulegeya Sadaati, also criticized the increasing alcohol abuse, especially among women, which has led to frequent family breakdowns.
Joseph Luwaga Kitayimbwa, the Assistant RDC of Bukomansimbi, confirmed that the mother admitted to locking the children inside before stepping out.
When she returned, she found when children were already dead.
“We are actively searching for the father, while the mother is in police custody at Kitanda Police Station as investigations continue,” Luwaga confirmed.
He also called on religious leaders to pray for Bukomansimbi, citing a disturbing rise in domestic violence cases that have resulted in tragic deaths.
Dramatizing the already tense situation, as residents dug graves to bury the two children, they discovered another unidentified body buried earlier.
This development further heightened tension in the village, and authorities launched an investigation into it.
Local leaders and police called residents to calm as they worked to establish the cause of the fire and track down the missing father.
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