By Jamillah Kemigisa
Grief and disbelief have gripped residents of Nyakabare following the brutal killing of an 81-year-old woman by her newly employed housemaid, in a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves across Rukungiri District.
The victim, Kashillingi Kedress — affectionately known in the community as Muserebende — was reportedly murdered in cold blood on the morning of Sunday, May 11, by a woman identified only as Constance, aged around 30. The fatal attack is said to have stemmed from a seemingly minor disagreement over a mopping rag.
According to police reports, the gruesome act took place at approximately 7:15 a.m. at Kashillingi’s residence in Central Ward, while she was home alone with the housemaid. Her granddaughter, Catherine Natukunda, and great-grandson, Tumusiime Brighton, had left earlier that morning.
Just minutes later, at about 7:20 a.m., young Brighton returned home only to stumble upon a horrifying scene — his great-grandmother lying lifeless in her bedroom, her head covered with a piece of cloth. The maid had vanished.
The alarm was quickly raised, with neighbors Kamuhangire Gilbert and Agaba Peter rushing to the scene. They confirmed the elderly woman was dead, bearing severe and fresh head injuries, likely inflicted by a blunt object.
Area Chairman Richard Katamba swiftly reported the matter to Kebisoni Police Post. Officers, led by Kigezi Region Police spokesperson Elly Maate, responded promptly. Investigators recovered a bloodstained hoe at the scene, believed to be the murder weapon, and it has since been sent for forensic testing.
“The suspect fled immediately after committing the crime. We are conducting a rigorous manhunt to ensure she is apprehended and brought to justice,” Maate stated.
Further investigation revealed that the suspect had only recently been taken in by Kashillingi after being found wandering in Kebisoni in search of domestic work. What was meant to be a gesture of kindness turned tragically into a fatal betrayal.
The senseless nature of the killing — an elderly woman murdered over a petty household dispute — has left the community in deep mourning and fear. Residents remain stunned by the incident, with many calling for justice and stronger safeguards for vulnerable persons.
Police are urging anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts to come forward. Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been taken for a postmortem as investigations continue.
This heinous act serves as a grim reminder of the dangers lurking even in acts of goodwill — and the urgent need for vigilance, even in the sanctity of one’s home.
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