Police in Kisoro District have launched investigations into the mysterious death of a 30-year-old Congolese national who allegedly died while in police custody before being secretly buried.
Three police officers attached to Nyabwishenya Police Station have since been arrested in connection with the incident. They were identified as Corporal Wickliffe Musabimana, Police Constable Apeti Kizito and Police Constable Moris Yebuze.
According to Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson Elly Maate, the deceased, identified as Uwimana, was allegedly assaulted by a group of people at a drinking joint on the night of 6 May 2026 after he reportedly threatened them.
Police said one suspect, Hakuzimana Mpunuseni, has already been arrested, while other suspects including John Bosco Sabimana remain on the run.
After the assault, Uwimana was reportedly handed over to Nyabwishenya Police Station where he was detained on charges of threatening violence.
However, police say he was later found dead inside the cells on the morning of 7 May 2026.
Maate said instead of reporting the death to senior police authorities for proper handling, some officers allegedly worked together with suspects in the case to secretly bury the body during the night on land belonging to a man identified as John Nizeyimana Kamara.
The incident reportedly remained hidden until relatives of the deceased started searching for him at the police station. Police officers allegedly informed them that Uwimana had already been released from custody.
Tension later escalated on 8 May 2026 when a group of Congolese nationals reportedly crossed into Uganda and attacked some of the suspects while demanding answers about Uwimana’s disappearance.
Police at Nyabwishenya Station managed to contain the situation, although the matter was allegedly not reported to the District Police Commander.
Authorities also revealed that intelligence reports later emerged warning of a possible attack on Nyabwishenya Police Station by angry residents and Congolese nationals.
A team from Kisoro Central Police Station has since visited the area and identified the suspected burial site.
Police said the body will be exhumed and taken for a postmortem examination as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding Uwimana’s death and the alleged cover-up.
