The Police in Masaka City are holding a 42-year-old son who allegedly strangled his 87-year-old mother to death. Twaha Kasirye, the Police spokesperson for Masaka region identified the suspect as Joseph Kasibante and the deceased as Birigo Namaganda who has been a resident of Kimaanya B Cell in Kimaanya-Kibonera Division, Masaka City.
Kasibante was arrested together with his friend William Kayiwa with whom he is suspected to have committed the offence.
According to Jamir Walugembe, the Cell chairperson said that the murder happened on Saturday at around mid-night when Kasibante together with Kayiwa went to Namaganda’s home and demanded for sh75,000 of the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) program which is given to old people for upkeep by government.
Gyaviira Kisolo, a relative, said that Kasibante first locked the rest of the people who were staying with his mother in their rooms before attacking and demanding money from her.
“She was heard crying for her life giving Kasibante sh70,000 saying she had used the sh5,000 but they insisted and ended up strangling her to death,” Kisolo said.
The chairperson Walugembe also said that Kasibante has been on loggerheads with his mother over family land.
“Kasibante was given his share of land and sold it out. He later went back to Namanganda (his mother) asking for another portion of land which she declined. We suspect that must also have been a reason behind her killing,” he said.
The residents said that Kasibante is a habitual criminal and that he had just been released from prison.
The police mouthpiece Kasirye said that suspects who were charged with murder are currently detained at Masaka Police as the investigations go on.