By Sekaggya Seka Moses
Kyankwanzi, Uganda – A gruesome double murder has shaken Kiyuni Village in Kyankwanzi District, leaving a mother and son dead.
The victims, Namaganda Sylvia, 46, and Ssenyonga Robert, 24, were residents of Bukekete Village, Makulubita Subcounty, Luwero District.
According to the police, the suspect, Ssemanda Ronald, 30, allegedly committed the heinous crime using a large cassava stem on September 9, 2024, at 8:20 pm.
Preliminary investigations reveal that the family had traveled to Kyankwanzi in June 2024 seeking spiritual intervention for the suspect’s long-standing mental health issues.
They had been attending prayers and deliverance sessions at the home of Rev. David Ssejjemba, parish priest of Nakandura Church of Uganda in Kiyuni Village.
Tragically, on the fateful evening, Ssemanda allegedly attacked his brother with the cassava stem, striking him on the head, and then turned on his mother, inflicting fatal blows.
Ssenyonga died instantly, while Namaganda succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival at a nearby clinic.
Police responded swiftly to the scene, documenting and examining the area.
The cassava stem used in the attack has been recovered as evidence.
The bodies of the deceased have been taken to Ntwetwe Health Centre IV for postmortem examination.
Ssemanda is currently detained at Kyankwanzi Police Station and will undergo a medical examination to assess his mental status.
“We condemn this horrific act and assure the public that investigations are ongoing,” said SP Racheal Kawala, Police Spokesperson for Wamala Region.
“Our teams are working tirelessly to establish the motive behind this tragic incident.”
SP Kawala added that the police are urging anyone with information to come forward and cooperate with the investigation.
