Land Grabbing Dispute In Ibanda Leads To Deaths Of Prisoner And Police Officer

A wave of grief and anger is sweeping through Ibanda District after the tragic death of a prisoner at Nyabuhikye Government Prison — and the subsequent killing of a police officer during the inmate’s burial.

The prisoner, Razaro Kahangire, 45, died under unclear circumstances while on remand for a land-related dispute.

Kahangire had been arrested on March 18 and appeared in court two days later, where he was remanded until April 10. He never made it to trial.

His wife, Dinavence Atuhaire, 42, a resident of Kyembogo Cell in Kalangara Parish, was heartbroken as she recalled the last time she saw her husband — on March 28 — when she visited him in prison.

“He told me he wasn’t feeling well,” she said, her voice breaking. “He mentioned getting some medicine from a prison officer, but I didn’t think it was that serious. I was completely shocked when I received the news of his death.”

According to Beatrice Arimwenda, a witness at Ruhoko Health Center IV, Kahangire was already unresponsive when he was brought in.

“They carried him in, but he was lifeless,” she said. “We couldn’t believe it.”

As grief turned into outrage, Kahangire’s family began demanding answers. They insist his death was avoidable and are calling for a full investigation into the events that led to his sudden passing.

“This isn’t how people should die in custody,” said Atuhaire. “Someone must be held accountable. We need justice.”

No official statement has been released by Nyabuhikye Prison, and repeated attempts to reach Dr. Peter Rwambuka, the in-charge at Ruhoko Health Center IV, were unsuccessful — his phone remained off despite a scheduled interview.

A Bigger Story of Injustice

The tragedy is deeply tied to a long-standing land dispute involving Vicent Mbabazi, Director of Kagongo Parents School, who is accused of illegally trying to seize land from Kahangire’s family.

Despite a valid court order in favor of Kahangire’s family, authorities have allegedly failed to enforce it.

“If the court order had been respected, my husband would still be alive,” Atuhaire lamented.

Community members and family claim that Mbabazi is being protected by elements within the police and judiciary due to his wealth and influence.

The situation has left many feeling abandoned by the very systems meant to protect them.

“People are dying, families are suffering, and justice is being ignored — all because of power and money,” said one community elder.

Another Life Lost: Police Officer Killed at Burial

As tensions reached a boiling point, tragedy struck again — this time at Kahangire’s burial.

Police Constable Chemonges Suleiman, 28, from Bisheshe Police Station, was deployed to provide security during the funeral.

According to police reports, he arrived at the burial site ahead of his colleagues and was attacked by an enraged mob, believed to be relatives of the deceased who held the police responsible for Kahangire’s death.

PC Chemonges was killed on the spot. Police recovered his SMG rifle with 16 rounds at the scene, and his body was taken to Ruhoko morgue for a postmortem examination.

Police have since launched an investigation into his murder, which they are treating as a case of mob justice.