KISORO — Four employees of Mucha Lodges, a tour guide and a police officer are among six people arrested in connection with the shooting death of Barbra Nassozi Kiyaga, the founder of Deaf Link Uganda.
The six were arrested as police investigate the circumstances under which Kiyaga was killed during an attack on the lodge in the early hours of Thursday.
Kiyaga was shot dead at about 2am on November 5 at Mucha Lodges, located along the Mutolere-Nyundo Road near Lake Mulehe in Kisoro District.
Armed assailants reportedly stormed the premises, leading to a gunfight with security personnel. Kiyaga sustained several gunshot wounds and died at the scene. Preliminary reports indicate that she was shot seven times.
A police officer guarding the lodge, Constable Charles Mukesi, was also wounded in the left leg. He was taken to Kisoro Hospital, where he is receiving treatment.
Kisoro Deputy Resident District Commissioner Dan Ndikumwami announced the arrests on Saturday, saying the six were being questioned to help establish what transpired during the attack.
“The arrested people will help the police to investigate the matter and possibly help in identifying the assailants,” Ndikumwami said.
He said security officials had held a meeting with residents living near the lodge and asked them to provide information about suspected criminals in their neighbourhoods.
Ndikumwami also called on landlords to register their tenants and urged local council leaders to alert security agencies about people whose activities raise suspicion.
Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson Nelson Tumushime said police had registered cases of murder by shooting and attempted murder.
He said security personnel had launched an operation to pursue the gunmen, while deployments had been increased to safeguard residents and visitors.
Police have not disclosed the motive for the attack. However, investigators are examining the possibility that the assailants intended to rob guests at the lodge.
Kiyaga, who lived in Kampala, had arrived at Mucha Lodges on Wednesday and booked accommodation for four days.
She established Deaf Link Uganda in 2007 as a community-based organisation, which later grew into a non-governmental organisation. Its work centres on improving access to education, economic opportunities and social inclusion for deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
The killing has raised fresh questions about security in Kisoro, particularly given the district’s importance as a destination for tourists visiting Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks.
It also follows the October 17 shooting of businessman Africano Nteziyaremye and his wife, Peace Kyompeire, at the gate of their home in Zindiro, Kisoro Municipality. The couple had reportedly returned from their wholesale shop when they were attacked.
No arrests have been publicly announced in connection with their deaths.
Police have appealed to anyone with information about the lodge attack to assist investigators as the search for the gunmen continues.
