Residents in Mukono are gripped by shock and disbelief after a 26-year-old man allegedly murdered a female money lender in cold blood following a disagreement over a loan worth Shs 18 million.
The suspect, identified as Elvis Katabazi, is currently in police custody, accused of fatally stabbing Hamida Mutesi Nalule in Namuyenje Village, Nakisunga Sub-county an act residents have described as both shocking and deeply disturbing.
According to police reports, the two had earlier traveled together in Mutesi’s white Toyota Fielder, registration number UBR 759V, intending to meet a local chairman to mediate a dispute regarding a loan. The meeting, however, did not happen as the chairman was unavailable.
While returning from the aborted meeting, Katabazi reportedly turned violent and used a knife to stab Mutesi in the throat, killing her on the spot.
Monica Abaho, a colleague of the deceased, said the loan in question had been formalized, with land in Namuyenje Village pledged as security by the suspect. “Mutesi had gone with Katabazi to view the mortgaged land when the incident happened,” said Abaho.
Godfrey Kato, a resident of Namuyenje, expressed disbelief, saying the two had been seen earlier in the day traveling peacefully together.
“Both Katabazi and Mutesi were sighted together during daytime in the same car driving to the land which Katabazi mortgaged to Mutesi but was shocked to hear that one has killed the other,” he said.
Eyewitnesses say after the stabbing, Katabazi emerged from the vehicle claiming they had been attacked by unknown assailants and that his companion had been stabbed. However, locals quickly became suspicious.
The community, alarmed and enraged by the scene, surrounded Katabazi and restrained him before handing him over to the police.
Police officers who arrived at the scene recovered the suspected murder weapon and took Katabazi into custody. He is currently being held at Mukono Central Police Station as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, Mutesi’s body was transported to Mulago City Mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
