Two men have been apprehended by the police under suspicion of their involvement in a heinous crime. The suspects are believed to be part of a gang responsible for the rape and subsequent death of a woman, with the assistance of a police sniffer dog playing a crucial role in their capture.
According to reports from the Elgon Police region spokesperson, Rogers Taitika, the incident occurred in Namakwekwe near Kikindu market, situated on the Mbale-Kumi highway within Mbale city. The victim, a woman, fell prey to a gang assault which culminated in her tragic demise.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the woman was ambushed and subjected to multiple acts of sexual assault by the gang at approximately 3:00 am on February 19, 2024, while she was returning from a social gathering. The assailants then proceeded to strangle her, leading to her untimely death.
The naked body of the deceased was discovered abandoned near Kikindu Market, bearing visible signs of struggle including scratches around the neck, and traces of bodily fluids resembling semen were found in the vicinity of her private parts.
Through the aid of a police dog trained in scent detection, law enforcement authorities were able to track down the two suspects who had sought refuge in Namakwekwe, located in the Northern Division of Mbale city. The effectiveness of the sniffer dog’s assistance led to the swift apprehension of the alleged perpetrators.
As of February 21, 2024, the suspects remained in custody at Mbale Central Police Station, pending further legal proceedings. Taitika confirmed that preparations were underway to compile a comprehensive case file to facilitate the prosecution of the individuals on charges of rape and murder.
In light of this distressing incident, Taitika issued a public appeal, particularly directed towards women, urging them to exercise caution by traveling in groups during nighttime hours and avoiding poorly lit areas to mitigate the risk of falling victim to criminal acts perpetrated by gangs.
Furthermore, he attributed the rise in such incidents to the prevalent abuse of drugs among the youth population in Mbale city. Residents echoed these concerns, highlighting the inadequate lighting in the city during nighttime, which creates conducive environments for criminal activities to thrive.
Rose Namono, a resident of the city’s northern division, lamented the deteriorating security situation, emphasizing the urgent need for authorities to enhance their operational efforts to safeguard the community. She emphasized the importance of empowering women to speak out against such atrocities and called for concerted efforts to address the root causes fueling the escalation of crime in Mbale.
