By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
BUSHENYI
Seven suspects including a tenant have been arrested in connection with the suspected murder of a 57-year-old businessman in Bushenyi district Southwest Uganda.
The deceased Abias Asiimwe, a resident of Kashenyi Ward in Bushenyi District went missing on April 18, according to family accounts, and his body was discovered dead, his body burnt and dismembered the following day.
“He was last seen on April 18, 2026, at Kashenyi Trading Centre before reportedly proceeding to a nearby lodge. He did not return home, prompting his relatives to report his disappearance to Kashenyi Police the following day,” preliminary reports indicated.
The Greater Bushenyi Regional Police spokesperson, SP Apollo Tayebwa, said officers, working with residents, mounted a search operation that led to the discovery of a body believed to be Asiimwe’s.
“The search led to the recovery of a burnt and dismembered body believed to be that of the deceased from the ceiling of the one of the rooms of the lodge, reportedly rented by the prime suspect,” Tayebwa said.
Tayebwa confirmed the arrest of seven suspects, including four men and three women, to assist with ongoing investigations. He added that they recovered relevant exhibits at the scene.
The suspects have been identified as Clinton Aikiriiza, the prime suspect and tenant at the deceased rebtals, Edgar Twinamatsiki, Bridget Namusiisi, Oswald Mugisha, Hellen Keminyeeto, Arnold Ainomugisha and Sharon Ninsiima.
The body was conveyed to Kitagata Hospital mortuary, pending a postmortem examination. Asiimwe a renown businessman in Kishenyi, Ishaka municipality also previously served as the Bushenyi district Chief finance officer but was interdicted and later dismissed by the district service commission on allegations of embezzlement of funds in 2018.
Police condemned the killing, describing it as a heinous act, and assured the public that perpetrators would be brought to justice.
“We strongly condemn such acts of violence and assure the public that all those involved will be brought to book,” Tayebwa said.
