Two teenagers in Rukungiri District have been taken into custody by the police. They are being accused of causing the death of a fellow teenager during a kickboxing match. The police say that these teenagers could face charges of murder.
According to Elly Maate, the spokesperson for the police in the Kigezi region, the incident occurred on a Friday afternoon at Rwenkuba Hill in Kagashe Cell, Bugangari Sub-county, Rukungiri District. The victim, identified as Derrick Niwahereza, was 18 years old and hailed from Bugorogoro Cell, Nyakagyeme Sub-county, in the same district.
The two suspects, aged 16 and 14, were named by the police on Saturday. It’s alleged that on April 19, while at Rwenkuba Hill, the three teenagers, who were grazing cattle, decided to engage in a local kickboxing game. During the game, the 16-year-old allegedly kicked Niwahereza, causing him to fall in pain. In retaliation, Niwahereza picked up a stone and hit the 16-year-old on the chest. The 16-year-old then grabbed a sharp stick from the ground and struck Niwahereza on the head, leading to his death.
Maate explained that after the fatal blow, both suspects left Niwahereza unconscious and bleeding and went back to their homes. The incident was reported by a local farmer, Amston Rukundo, who was working in his garden nearby.
Upon arriving at the scene, the police found Niwahereza dead. His body was taken to Rwakabengo Health Center III for a postmortem examination. The two suspects were then arrested to assist in the investigation. A case of murder by assault was registered at Rukungiri police station.
Geoffrey Kyomukama, the LCV chairman of Rukungiri District, and Posius Nemesius Agaba, the district Community Development Officer, linked the rise in criminal cases involving teenagers to factors such as drug abuse, school dropout, idleness, and parental neglect. They noted that efforts were being made to educate parents about the importance of keeping their children in school and preventing them from engaging in harmful behaviors like drug abuse and violence. They are conducting awareness campaigns through FM radios and community meetings to address these issues.
