Police in Masindi, not typically known for their roles in blockbuster thrillers, have suddenly found themselves cast in a mystery drama that’s got the locals talking more than the latest Parliament saga. Three private security guards, who presumably signed up for a job expecting nothing more outlandish than chasing off the occasional stray goat, are now starring in a real-life crime investigation.
Julius Allan Hakiza, the Albertine region’s answer to Sherlock Holmes, announced with a gravitas suitable for a man of his detective calibre, that these three guards are being held tighter than the security at State House. The trio includes the supervisor, Richard Okecha, and his two sidekicks, who had the misfortune of stumbling upon a scene straight out of a crime novel on the Achilles farm. It appears the plot of land they were guarding harbored more secrets than just the best farming practices.
The discovery was made around 9:30 am, a time when most self-respecting Ugandans are contemplating their breakfast, not unearthing potential homicide cases. These guards found a man along the fire line of the farm, in a state that was described as “badly off,” a euphemism that does little to soften the grim reality of their find.
Acting with a sense of duty that would make any employer proud, the two guards reported their grim find to their supervisor, Okecha, who then did what any responsible citizen would do—he called the police. The Masindi police, seizing the moment to demonstrate their investigative prowess, promptly arrested the trio, not for a job well done, but to “aid in investigations.” One can only hope their definition of aid doesn’t involve the kind of hospitality you’d expect in a Ugandan jail cell.
The deceased, whose identity remains as mysterious as the reason behind his unfortunate end, was whisked away to Masindi General Hospital for a postmortem. In a town where everyone knows everyone, or at least claims to, the fact that the body remains unclaimed is as puzzling as a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces.
As the community waits with bated breath for the next episode in this macabre series, one can’t help but wonder about the series of unfortunate events that led to this tragic discovery. The investigation is ongoing, and the police are calling on anyone with a penchant for solving mysteries—or perhaps just too much time on their hands—to come forward with information.
In the meantime, the three guards find themselves in an unenviable predicament, caught between their duty to protect and the harsh realities of a world where doing your job can sometimes land you in hot water, or in this case, a cold jail cell.
