Residents of Kiryatete Cell in Hoima City were left in shock after a man allegedly set his home ablaze, trapping his wife and two children inside. The incident, which occurred around 10 p.m. on Monday, claimed the life of a five-year-old boy and left the mother in critical condition.
According to eyewitnesses, Kenneth Wabyona, the alleged perpetrator, stormed into the house wearing a mask, locked the doors, and set it on fire. His wife, Lillian Akonyera, their eight-year-old daughter, and their five-year-old son, Junius, were inside.
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The young girl managed to escape and screamed for help, alerting neighbors who rushed to extinguish the flames. However, Junius sustained severe burns and succumbed to his injuries while being transferred to Mulago Hospital. Akonyera remains in critical condition, while Wabyona was also hospitalized.
A Troubled Relationship
Neighbors revealed that the couple had a history of domestic violence, which led to their separation two weeks earlier. Wabyona had previously attacked Akonyera at her salon, destroying her property. Despite being the sole provider for the family, Akonyera had even bought Wabyona a motorcycle for work, but tensions between them persisted.
Wycliffe Aganyira, a neighbor, recounted how Wabyona’s return on the night of the fire turned deadly.
“After the separation, he returned masked. When Akonyera opened the door, he forced his way inside, locked them in, and set the house ablaze,” Aganyira said.
Landlord Abdu Razak Nkaramaikya confirmed that he had reported Wabyona’s violent tendencies to the police multiple times, including a previous attempt to stab Akonyera, but no action was taken.
Police Investigation and Charges
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine Regional Police spokesperson, confirmed that Wabyona is under police custody at Hoima Regional Hospital and will face charges of attempted murder and attempted suicide once he recovers.
“We urge families experiencing domestic violence to report to authorities for counseling and intervention before conflicts escalate,” Hakiza stated.
Religious Tensions and Allegations of Witchcraft
Aganyira also pointed to religious differences as a key source of conflict in the marriage.
“Akonyera was deeply religious and spent time praying at Bujumbura Cathedral, while Wabyona was involved in witchcraft. This caused a major rift between them,” he explained.
It was also revealed that Wabyona had another wife in Bugambe, Kikuube District, and was rarely present to support Akonyera and their children.
Current Status
As the community mourns the loss of young Junius, Wabyona’s condition has worsened, prompting his referral to Kiruddu Hospital for further treatment. Meanwhile, Akonyera continues to fight for her life in Mulago Hospital.
Authorities have vowed to follow up on the case as calls grow for better protection of domestic violence victims.
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