A 48-year-old trailer driver was killed by unknown assailants along the Kabale–Mbarara highway in Rukiga district, western Uganda, who also stole 50 bags of rice.The deceased was identified as Bernard Katabazi, a resident of Rubirizi district. The attack occurred on Friday night at approximately 8:00 p.m. at Habufureeka trading centre, a location that separates Rukiga and Kabale districts.
Katabazi was driving a trailer loaded with 35 tonnes of rice from Rwanda, destined for the Mpondwe border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to police, the assailants intercepted the truck, broke into it, and loaded 50 bags of rice into their own vehicle.
They then killed Katabazi by inflicting multiple cuts and smashing his head before dumping his body in the middle of the road and fleeing the scene. A fellow driver, Chris Goloba, discovered the body and alerted the police, describing the killing as shocking and urging security agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Kigezi Regional police spokesperson Elly Maate confirmed the incident. He stated that Katabazi’s body was taken to Kabale regional referral hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination as investigations and efforts to track the suspects continue.
This murder comes just one day after another killing in the same district. On Thursday, 28-year-old boda-boda rider Henry Mugume was found dead in a swamp in Muhanga town council after his motorcycle was stolen by his assailants.
