September 11, 2023.
Rubanda District – In a tragic and heart-wrenching incident that has left a community in disbelief, a 30-year-old man, Alledi Niwamanya, has confessed to the murder of his nine-year-old son, Ankorite Ariho. The shocking revelation came to light after Niwamanya’s new wife complained about the child and requested his removal from their lives.
Niwamanya, a resident of Mukangumira Cell in Hamurwa Sub County, found himself at the center of a dreadful family drama that ultimately ended in tragedy. Preliminary investigations conducted by the Rubanda District Police suggest that Niwamanya’s troubles began when he experienced difficulties in his first marriage, leading to the couple’s separation. His first wife, along with their two children, returned to her parents’ home.
In a bid to start anew, Niwamanya entered into a second marriage. However, the harmony he sought was shattered when his new wife displayed an aversion to his children from the previous marriage, reportedly subjecting them to mistreatment. Concerned neighbors, witnessing this troubling behavior, alerted Niwamanya’s estranged first wife, who promptly removed the children from his custody, taking them to live with her mother.
In June 2023, Niwamanya requested a visit from his children, a request his first wife granted. Tragically, by July 2023, it became evident that young Ariho had gone missing. This alarming development prompted the local community to confront Niwamanya about the whereabouts of his child.
Elly Maate, the Police spokesman for the Kigezi region, revealed that when Niwamanya sensed the mounting suspicion against him, he returned one of his children to their maternal grandmother in Rukiga District. However, as news of the missing child spread, the grandmother became aware of the discrepancy and questioned Niwamanya about the second child’s whereabouts.
In a chilling confession, Niwamanya admitted to the murder of his son and disclosed that he had disposed of the child’s body in Ruboroga Forest in Mpungu Parish. Fearing retaliation from the incensed villagers, Jonah Tweyongyere courageously called the Hamurwa Police Station for assistance, which promptly responded and ensured Niwamanya’s safety.
During his interrogation, Niwamanya offered to lead the police to the location where he had concealed his son’s remains. As a result, investigators recovered a presumed human bone, believed to be a part of the deceased child’s body, pending further analysis by the Police forensic department.
The case has been formally recorded as murder under CRB 340/2023. Elly Maate condemned the heinous act, expressing disbelief at how a parent could resort to such a horrendous crime due to family discord. He emphasized the importance of seeking amicable solutions through community leaders or family elders rather than resorting to violence.
As the police continue to finalize their investigation, Niwamanya faces the grim prospect of murder charges, leaving a family torn apart and a community in mourning. This heartbreaking tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from unresolved family conflicts.
