Inside: The murder of 10 family members in Kagadi

Kagadi: The tragedy in Muziizi A village in Kagadi district has left the community in shock and fear after two brothers brutally attacked their family members. The incident, which took place on October 29, resulted in the deaths of ten individuals, including elderly parents and young children.

Albertine Region Police Spokesperson Julius Allan Hakiza told this publication on Wednesday that eight residents were killed and another eight injured. Security forces quickly responded, neutralizing two suspects during their arrest.

Hakiza identified the deceased family members as Yokonia Isakara, 76; father, Elinora Kabugho, 64; mother, Oliver Kabugho, 13, Ferdinand Baluku, 13, Masika Kabagenyi, 30, Anifa Kabugho, 04; Praise Muhindo, 07; Obed Baguma, 33; David Munyirambe, 36; and Boniface Munyirambe, 41.

The injured are identified as Jlius Muge, 06, Elmos Mukandirwa, 49, Joyce Mbambu, 28, Rogers Nzabara, 27, Christine Biira, 24, Zipora Kyakimwa, 40, Yonasi Bwambale, 06, Yonasi Masereka, 05, and Biira Birungi, 06, who are receiving treatment at Kagadi District General Hospital.

Reports indicate that the assailants, Baguma Obed and Munyirambe David, were driven by a disturbing motive: their family’s refusal to accept the teachings of a cult they were involved in.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack and the brothers’ involvement in the cult as residents grapple with the aftermath of this horrific event. The fear of further violence looms over the village, highlighting the tragic consequences of radical beliefs and familial discord.

Major Bilal Katamba from Operation Shujaa assured residents that security is stabilizing, with ongoing efforts to locate other members of the cult involved in the incident. He emphasized the proactive measures being taken by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Police, and other agencies to address the situation.

Fred Talemwa, the LC3 chairperson, attributed the attack to a dispute over the beliefs of a cult known as “God, Holy Spirit, Son, Man-Man.” He revealed that the brothers targeted their own family members, including their parents and siblings, for rejecting these teachings. The victims were previously associated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, highlighting the deep familial rifts caused by conflicting beliefs.

Talemwa stressed the importance of raising awareness about the dangers posed by such groups, particularly as tensions often rise toward the end of the year. The community is now facing the dual challenge of grieving their losses and addressing the underlying issues that led to this tragic event.

Background

The background of this incident highlights the troubling dynamics that can emerge within families and communities when extreme beliefs take root. The suspects’ history with the Seventh Day Adventist Church and their subsequent expulsion seems to have played a significant role in their radicalization and formation of their own cult.

Multiple sources told UG Reports that the suspects who were gunned down allegedly continued to threaten to kill anyone (family members) who refused to join them, which unbothered the family members.

Other sources also revealed that the duo was arrested in 2017 for disrupting Seventh Day Adventist Church operations in Muziizi-Buswaka Kyaterekera Sub County, but after seven months in prison, they pledged and were released.

They were since then expelled from church, something that prompted them to start their own.

Samuel Ntirenganya, the Buswaka village vice chairman, said they couldn’t rescue the victims since the duo were like people who had been possessed by evil spirits.

Ntirenganya said the suspects had excommunicated themselves from the family and the community members.

“These people had even refused to bury whenever we lost a member in this village,” Ntirenganya narrated.

He added that they had also established their own cult, and the flags and idols they were worshiping were taken to the Kagadi police station.

Lillian Ruteraho, the Resident District Commissioner Kagadi, urged residents to get to know their neighbors so as to avoid such murderous acts.

Ruteraho said the village will remain under tight security markings until when the government finalizes burial arrangements for the deceased.

“UPDF and police will remain guarding this village until we finish burying. This is to ensure that the people remain safe and secure,” Ruteraho said.

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