Police in Kisoro District are under intense scrutiny following the shocking death of a Congolese national who allegedly died in custody after being brutally assaulted and later buried secretly in a suspected cover-up operation involving both civilians and police officers.
The deceased, commonly known as Uwimana, a Congolese male adult believed to be around 30 years old, reportedly died after being arrested on the night of May 6th, 2026. According to preliminary police investigations, the incident began at a bar where Uwimana allegedly got into a misunderstanding with a group of men while drinking alcohol. During the argument, he is said to have threatened the group, prompting them to arrest and assault him.
The suspects, identified as Nsabimana Johnbosco and Hakuzimana Mpunuseni, allegedly beat Uwimana severely and tied him with ropes before forcing him toward Nyabwishenya Police Station. Witness accounts indicate that while being taken to the station, his condition worsened to the extent that he reportedly sat down and could no longer continue moving properly. The suspects then contacted police officers who arrived at the scene and took him into custody.
Instead of receiving medical attention, Uwimana was detained at Nyabwishenya Police Station on allegations of threatening violence. However, tragedy struck the following morning when officers reportedly found him dead inside the police cells.
Investigations have since revealed disturbing claims of an attempted cover-up. It is alleged that the Officer in Charge (OC) at the station feared revealing that a suspect had died while in police custody. Rather than reporting the death to higher authorities for proper management and investigations, the OC allegedly arrested the civilians involved and instructed them to take away the deceased.
The suspects reportedly became confused and requested the police to handle the matter officially. However, investigators say the OC and several officers instead devised a plan to secretly dispose of the body. On the evening of May 7th, the deceased’s body was allegedly packed in a sack and transported to land belonging to Hon. Kamala, where it was buried during the night without the knowledge or consent of relatives.
Meanwhile, Uwimana’s relatives, having learned that he had been arrested and taken to Nyabwishenya Police Station, went searching for him. When they inquired at the station, they were allegedly told that he had already been released. Unsatisfied with the explanation, the family officially reported him missing under SD Reference 06/08/05/2026.
The matter later escalated across the border into the Democratic Republic of Congo. Relatives informed their clan members in Congo, who reportedly organized themselves and crossed into Uganda to demand answers regarding Uwimana’s disappearance. Tensions rose after members of the Congolese community attacked some of the suspects believed to have participated in the assault. Local leaders, including the LC3 chairperson, reportedly alerted police, who intervened to calm the situation.
Security agencies later received intelligence indicating that a larger group of Congolese nationals was planning to attack Nyabwishenya Police Station in protest over the missing man. This intelligence reportedly prompted the District Police Commander (DPC) to mobilize officers and personally travel to the station for fact-finding investigations. It was during these inquiries that officers allegedly uncovered the full story surrounding Uwimana’s death and secret burial.
Police have since launched formal investigations under charges of murder by assault and scandalous conduct. Three police officers, identified as CPL Musabimana Wicklif, PC Apeti Kizito, and PC Yebuze Moris, have also been implicated in the scandalous manner case linked to the alleged concealment and burial of the deceased.
Authorities say the scene has already been visited by investigators from the Central Police Station, while the grave where the body was secretly buried has been identified pending exhumation and postmortem examination. Security has also been heavily reinforced at Nyabwishenya Police Station amid fears of further attacks and growing public anger.
Preliminary findings indicate that Uwimana was assaulted before being placed in police custody while already in critical condition. Investigators also believe that he died while under police custody and that officers deliberately concealed the death before participating in the night burial.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents and raised serious concerns about police accountability, treatment of suspects in custody, and cross-border tensions between Ugandan communities and Congolese nationals. As investigations continue, many are now demanding justice for Uwimana and harsh punishment for all those found responsible.
