Suspected Lunatic Kills Two Minors

A man believed to be mentally ill has killed two minors in Bugweri district. The dead are five-year-old Nuru Mutesi and six-year-old Allan Owor, both residents of Bubenge village in Ibulanku sub-county. They were attacked by a mentally ill man on Tuesday night.

The attacker reportedly broke into the minor's house at about 11:30 pm, hit them on the head with a hoe, and fled the scene. The same attacker stormed random homes in Igombe sub-county at about 1:00 am where he hit five other people who are currently receiving treatment at Iganga general hospital.

Residents rounded up the assailant and handed him over to the police. He has been taken to the psychiatric ward at Jinja Hospital for a comprehensive medical examination to ascertain his mental status. 

It is alleged that the suspect was discharged from the psychiatric ward of Jinja regional referral hospital early this year where he was admitted after suffering endless mental breakdowns throughout the two-year lockdown.

Shamirah Naibira, a survivor says that the suspect stormed her house and started attacking her with a hoe. "He has been sick for some time but always peaceful and playful around the kids throughout the day. However, he sounded possessed by a strange spirit, which was forcing him to attack us throughout last night," she said.

Busoga East police spokesperson, Diana Nandawula, says that inquiries into the attacks are underway. She has challenged residents to look out for their mentally ill relatives so as to avert such accidents.