A trailer driver was murdered on Friday night by unknown assailants along the Kabale–Mbarara highway in Rukiga District, western Uganda, in an attack that also saw the theft of 50 bags of rice.
The victim, identified as 48-year-old Bernard Katabazi from Rubirizi District, was transporting a consignment of 35 tonnes of rice from Rwanda to the Mpondwe border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to police, the ambush occurred at around 8:00 p.m. near Habufureeka Trading Centre, which lies between the districts of Rukiga and Kabale. The assailants intercepted Katabazi’s trailer, broke into the cargo, and offloaded 50 bags of rice into their own vehicle.
In the process, Katabazi was savagely attacked—sustaining deep cuts and fatal head injuries—before his body was dumped in the middle of the road. The attackers then fled the scene.
A colleague, identified as fellow driver Chris Goloba, later came across Katabazi’s body and immediately alerted police.
Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson Elly Maate confirmed the incident, saying the body was taken to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination. He added that investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the killers.
Authorities have since intensified patrols along the highway, urging drivers to be extra vigilant as the hunt for the suspects continues.
