RUKUNGIRI- It was a tearful Wednesday, December 20th 2023 as a multitude of mourners gathered in Rwenkurijo village, Nyakaina parish, Buyanja Sub County in Rukungiri district to bid farewell to Muhwezi Justus, who tragically lost his life in a devastating accident on the Rukungiri-Ntungamo road on Monday, December 18, 2023, near Nyakibale Hospital.
Muhwezi, 55 met his death as he travelled on a boda boda from Rukungiri town to his workplace at Kings Hotel in Rwobusisi cell, Kyamakanda parish, Buyanja Sub County. According to Police reports, Muhwezi was intentionally struck by Sebikaru William who was driving a Toyota Harrier registration number UBH 562C.
During a homily at the burial, Bebwa Banard, a catechist at St. Peter’s Buyanja Catholic Parish, Katojo, emphasized the transient nature of life and urged everyone to be prepared for the inevitability of death.
Patrice Mubangizi, the proprietor of Kings Hotel, expressed his grief, describing Muhwezi not only as an employee but also as a friend. Mubangizi questioned the malicious intent behind the crash and the audacity to reverse and end Muhwezi’s life.
Mubangizi who is also the proprietor of Perfect coaches told the mourners that Muhwezi first worked with him as the bus inspector before recruiting him as the hotel Manager, a role he had held for some time.
The boss described Muhwezi as a hard working man who did all his work smartly and trustworthily adding that he was developmental for the time he had worked with him expressing anger to a heartless man that finished his life due to senseless reasons.
The Hotel boss Mubangizi elaborated that he had previously got information that the suspect used to move with sharp objects in his car like pangas all aimed at finishing up Muhwezi’s life.
Shortly after the accident, the deceased before his last breath was picked from the road by Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries took him to Karoli Lwanga Hospital Nyakibale where he later died upon Arrival.
Geoffrey Kyomukama, the Rukungiri District boss cautioned the public to stand warned and safeguard their lives, particularly during the festive season, warning them against excessive alcohol consumption in the district and stressed the importance of self-control.
Hon. Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa, the Rukungiri Municipality Member of Parliament cursed the acts of violence and called on the Police to conduct thorough investigations and apprehend the perpetrator. Rutahigwa also criticized the high levels of alcoholism in Uganda, revealing that members of parliament are working on the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2023, to regulate alcohol consumption.
Rutahigwa added that there is a rumor that some security operatives are conniving with the suspect saying if they are known, they should be worked upon to provide the whereabouts of the suspect so that investigations can be done to bring justice on table so that he can face the law.
The legislator further said there is need for traffic Police to tighten belts to regulate over speeding on roads if they are to reduce the increasing road accidents on highways.
The wife of the deceased Hellen Nimusiima Muhwezi described his late husband as a caring and hard working man stressing that for the time they had spent together, they had managed to educate their 7 children where 3 had completed their studies.
Nimusiima revealed that, recently, her husband had told her that several times a boda boda cyclist would follow him up to home as he was coming from work which might be the process that led to the death of her husband.
Rukungiri Universal primary school which was represented by Goliath Buteraba offered a scholarship to one of the deceased’s orphans joining primary seven next year as a sign of helping the family especially their sick mother.
