Gideon Tumwijukye | Tayari News
RUBANDA – family in Rubanda District is demanding justice following the brutal murder of a relative, whose suspected killers were reportedly released without trial.
The deceased, identified as Bruce Tukamushaba, 36, also known as “Easy Bruce DJ,” was a well-known local DJ and resident of Rurengyere Village in Nyaruhanga Ward, Rubanda Town Council. He was allegedly found dead on April 11 after going missing for two days.
According to his widow, Doreen Friday, her husband disappeared on April 9. Initially, she believed he had spent the night at a bar. However, when he failed to return home after two days, she got concerned and alerted family members. A search was launched, and his body was later discovered in a deep trench.
“I thought he had gone to work and would return the next day, but when two days passed without any communication, I knew something was wrong,” Friday said. “We started searching, and that is when we found his body dumped in a trench.”
Police arrested several suspects in connection with the murder, including Andrew Mukamabaho. However, the family says they were shocked to learn that the suspects were released without being brought before court.
“We were informed that the suspects had been arrested, which gave us hope,” Friday added. “But to our surprise, they were later released without even appearing in court. We are asking authorities to explain how this happened.”
Friday described her husband as the family’s sole breadwinner, who left behind four children. She said he earned a living as a DJ and through passion fruit farming. She is calling on security authorities to ensure justice is served.
“My husband was everything to this family. He worked hard to provide for us, and now we are left helpless,” she said. “We want justice for him and support for the children he has left behind.”
Meanwhile, the deceased’s father, Medard Kakyekorera, alleges that police officers asked him for money, and he reportedly paid 130,000 Uganda shillings.
“They asked me to facilitate the process, and I gave them 130,000 shillings,” Kakyekorera claimed. “But even after that, we have not seen any progress in the case.”
He further claims that relatives of one of the suspects later approached the family, offering 80 million shillings in compensation in exchange for dropping the case—an offer they declined.
“They came to us with money, asking us to settle the matter, but we rejected it. No amount of money can replace our son,” he said. “We want justice, not compensation.”
Despite this, he says the suspects were released without the family’s knowledge.
Local leaders have also expressed concern over the handling of the case. Sylivano Tumuhimbise, the LC1 Chairman of Omukashekye Village, says they intervened to calm angry residents and prevent mob justice, while also alerting police.
“The community was very angry and wanted to take the law into their own hands,” Tumuhimbise said. “We had to intervene and call the police to ensure the suspects were handled legally.”
He added that authorities later visited the home of a key suspect, where blood stains were reportedly found.
Another local leader, Moses Byarugaba, LC1 Chairperson of Nyarugarama, criticised police for releasing the suspects, saying they had earlier been rescued from an angry mob.
“Unfortunately, suspects who were nearly lynched by the community were later released,” Byarugaba said. “This undermines public trust in the justice system. We call upon security agencies to reopen the case and work with us to ensure justice is served.”
When contacted for comment, the Rubanda District Police Commander, John Bosco Tumwebaze, said he needed time to first verify the matter. However, he later declined to respond to repeated phone calls.