Police in Kakumiro District have arrested a 27-year-old man accused of staging his child’s death and putting a banana sucker in a coffin in an attempt to obtain Shs350,000 from his father.
The suspect, Nicholas Mutegeki, a resident of Kiyora Village in Bugambe Sub-county, Kikuube District, allegedly devised the scheme after his father, Kato Kabaleega, refused to give him money for funeral expenses.
According to police, Mutegeki called Kabaleega, who lives in Kyekaado Cell, Kisiita Town Council, Kakumiro District, on June 15, 2026, claiming that his child had died.
He reportedly asked his father for Shs350,000 to transport the body to Kakumiro for burial. After Kabaleega declined to send him the money, Mutegeki allegedly wrapped a banana sucker in cloth, placed it inside a coffin and transported it to his father’s home, pretending it was the body of his deceased child.
The alleged deception was later uncovered, prompting residents and police to launch a search for Mutegeki.
Albertine Regional Police spokesperson Julius Hakiza said the suspect was arrested on Sunday while hiding in a nearby bush.
Mutegeki is being held at Kakumiro Central Police Station and has been charged with creating a public nuisance.
