BUGONZA, Uganda — Grief has enveloped Bugonza village in Nawaka Parish, Ikumbya Sub-county, Luuka District, following a suspected murder-suicide that claimed the lives of three family members.
Authorities identified the victims as 20-year-old Kafuko Winnie and her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Tracy. They were allegedly killed by Mukasa Joshua, 26, who then died by suicide, hanging himself from an avocado tree nearby on Thursday.
The incident has deeply shaken the community, with residents struggling to comprehend the apparent tragic end to a troubled domestic relationship.
Local authorities confirmed that the couple had a history of frequent disputes. Mr. Okurut John, the LC1 chairperson for the area, stated that local leaders had intervened multiple times to mediate their conflicts.
“The two have been having misunderstandings, and as local authorities, we’ve been settling them. However, it’s very unfortunate that this has happened,” Mr. Okurut said, urging residents to seek help from local leaders to resolve domestic conflicts peacefully.
According to police, preliminary investigations indicate domestic violence as the likely cause of the tragedy. Busoga North Regional Police spokesperson ASP Michael Kasadha detailed the events leading up to the deaths.
“It has been reported that the husband asked his wife to escort him to the charcoal kiln, and that was their last appearance while alive. This is where the man developed a bad spirit and killed his wife and child before committing suicide,” ASP Kasadha said.
Investigators discovered a suicide note at the scene in which Mukasa reportedly cited domestic disputes as his motive. The note also provided directions to the bodies of Kafuko and Tracy.
The bodies of all three individuals were transported to Kiyunga Health Centre IV mortuary for postmortem examinations.
Police have stated they will continue to conduct a thorough investigation as the community mourns the devastating loss.
