Police in Mukono have launched a murder investigation after arresting a 26-year-old man accused of killing a female money lender in a gruesome attack believed to have stemmed from a financial dispute.
The suspect, identified as Elvis Katabazi, is currently in custody at Mukono Central Police Station.
He is accused of fatally stabbing Hamida Mutesi Nalule in Namuyenje Village, Nakisunga Sub-county an act that has left the local community in shock and disbelief.
According to a preliminary police report, the two individuals had traveled together in Mutesi’s white Toyota Fielder, registration number UBR 759V, to meet a local chairman and resolve a disagreement involving a loan worth Shs 18 million.
However, the meeting did not take place as the chairman was reportedly unavailable.
Tragically, while returning from the failed appointment, Katabazi allegedly attacked Mutesi, stabbing her in the throat with a knife and killing her instantly.
Monica Abaho, a colleague of the deceased, said that Katabazi had secured a loan of Shs 18 million from Mutesi and had offered a piece of land in Namuyenje as collateral.
“Mutesi had gone with Katabazi to view the mortgaged land when the incident happened,” said Abaho.
Another resident, Godfrey Kato, recounted seeing the two earlier in the day, traveling together peacefully.
“Both Katabazi and Mutesi were sighted together during daytime in the same car driving to the land which Katabazi mortgaged to Mutesi but was shocked to hear that one has killed the other,” he said.
Eyewitnesses revealed that following the stabbing, Katabazi exited the vehicle shouting that they had been attacked by unknown assailants and that Mutesi had been stabbed. The suspicious behavior prompted locals to intervene.
The community quickly surrounded Katabazi, detained him, and alerted the police. Responding officers recovered the suspected murder weapon at the scene and took the suspect into custody for questioning.
Police say investigations into the incident are ongoing, and forensic examinations will support the inquiry.
The body of the deceased was transported to Mulago City Mortuary for a post-mortem examination as the authorities continue piecing together the circumstances surrounding the murder.
