Summary:
- Police in Mityana have arrested an LC1 chairperson and four others after a video surfaced showing the torture of a woman accused of theft. The incident, condemned by the public, occurred last month in Namuzikiza village. The victim, Muhirwe Kolodina, was tied up and burned with melted plastic. She was rescued by a passerby and taken to the police. The suspects are in custody as investigations continue.
Mityana police have apprehended an LC1 chairperson and four others following the circulation of a distressing video depicting the torture of a woman. The video, widely condemned by the public, shows the victim restrained and subjected to burning with melted plastic.
The incident unfolded in Namuzikiza village, Watuba parish, Kikandwa sub-county, Mityana district, last month, as reported by Racheal Kawala, spokesperson for the Wamala Police region. The victim, identified as Muhirwe Kolodina, a 29-year-old bar attendant and local resident, allegedly faced the ordeal due to accusations stemming from her previous marriage with James Lukiiko.
Police narratives suggest that on the day in question, Kolodina ventured to retrieve food from her former spouse’s land, prompting a series of events involving Lukiiko, his son Brian Lwabye, and the area defense secretary, James Kalanzi. Initial inquiries suggest that Kalanzi, accompanied by Betty Namusoke, intervened, tying the victim’s limbs under suspicion of theft, specifically a pig.
The distressing scene unfolded at the residence of Kiwanuka Steven, the area Chairperson, where a gathering ensued, culminating in the victim being set ablaze in an attempt to extract information about the alleged stolen pig. Subsequently, the victim was abandoned in nearby foliage but later rescued by a passing motorcycle taxi operator who transported her to the police.
Kawala emphasized that the brutal incident transpired at the residence of George Kiwanuka, the local LC1 chairman. Following the victim’s report to the authorities, an investigation was launched under CRB 155/2024.
The dissemination of the video on social media prompted swift action, resulting in the arrest of the implicated individuals, who are presently in custody at Mityana Police Station pending further investigation.
“We are resolute in our commitment to thoroughly investigate cases of torture and ensure that those responsible face legal consequences,” Kawala reiterated.