KISORO — Police have arrested six people, including a police officer and four lodge employees, as investigations continue into the killing of Barbra Nassozi Kiyaga, the founder and executive director of Deaf Link Uganda.
Kiyaga was shot dead on Thursday morning after armed men attacked Mucha Lodges in Kisoro District, in an incident that also left a police officer injured.
The attack happened at about 2am on November 5 at the lodge, situated along the Mutolere-Nyundo road near Lake Mulehe. The assailants reportedly exchanged gunfire with security personnel at the premises before fleeing.
Kiyaga suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary reports indicate that she was shot about seven times. Her body was later taken to Kisoro Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.
The injured officer, identified as Constable Charles Mukesi, sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg. He was taken to Kisoro Hospital, where he remains under medical care.
Kisoro Deputy Resident District Commissioner Dan Ndikumwami said on Saturday that the six people in custody comprise four lodge employees, a tour guide and a police officer.
He said their arrest was part of efforts to establish the circumstances of the attack and obtain information that could lead to the identification of the gunmen.
“The arrested people will help the police to investigate the matter and possibly help in identifying the assailants,” Ndikumwami said.
Ndikumwami also revealed that security officials had started engaging communities around the lodge, asking residents to provide information about people they suspect of involvement in criminal activities.
He said landlords had been urged to maintain records of their tenants, while local council leaders were asked to report suspicious individuals to security agencies.
Kigezi regional police spokesperson Nelson Tumushime said police were investigating the incident as murder by shooting and attempted murder.
He said an operation had been launched to pursue the attackers and security deployments increased in the area. Police have not yet established the motive, although a possible robbery targeting lodge guests is among the suspicions.
Kiyaga, who was based in Kampala, had checked into the lodge on Wednesday and booked a four-day stay.
She founded Deaf Link Uganda in 2007 as a community-based organisation before it later became a non-governmental organisation. The organisation works to promote education, livelihoods and social inclusion for deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Uganda.
Her killing comes less than three weeks after businessman Africano Nteziyaremye and his wife, Peace Kyompeire, were shot dead on October 17 at the gate of their home in Zindiro, Kisoro Municipality, as they returned from their wholesale shop.
No arrests have been publicly announced in connection with the couple’s killing.
Police have appealed to residents and anyone who may have witnessed the lodge attack to provide information that could help identify the assailants.
