A 22-year-old tailor has been sentenced to 70 years in jail after pleading guilty to the murder of his two girlfriends in Kabale district.
Denis Arinaitwe shot and killed Police Constable Caroline Komuhangi, who was attached to the Field Force Unit (FFU) at Kabale Central Police station, on March 19, 2023, at around 09:00 AM.
Arinaitwe, a resident of Nyakahanga village, Kazindiro parish, Rukungiri district, shot and killed Komuhangi following domestic disputes regarding their relationship. The two had been cohabiting for one and a half years.
However, a disagreement arose after Komuhangi accused Arinaitwe of having an affair with a student from Kabale University. Additionally, Komuhangi accused Arinaitwe of taking her Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) card. Komuhangi reported the matter to Kabale Police Station, leading to Arinaitwe’s arrest and an order for him to return the ATM card.
On the fateful day, Arinaitwe gained access to the Police Barracks and entered the uniport where Komuhangi was, resulting in a physical altercation.
As Komuhangi attempted to flee, Arinaitwe shot her three times. Arinaitwe also attempted to commit suicide after the incident but only managed to injure himself in the face. Arinaitwe was brought before Kabale High Court, presided over by Justice Samuel Emokor, and charged with two counts of murder contrary to sections 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act.
Arinaitwe pleaded guilty to the charges. Justice Emokor took into account Arinaitwe’s admission of guilt, which saved the court time and taxpayer money that would have been spent facilitating transportation for witnesses. Emokor sentenced Arinaitwe to 35 years on each murder charge, to be served consecutively, resulting in a total sentence of 70 years in prison.
However, Emokor deducted the 10 months and 18 days Arinaitwe had spent on remand, reducing the sentence to 34 years and one month for each case, meaning he will serve a total of 68 years and two months in prison.
Elly Maate, the police spokesperson for the Kigezi region, welcomed the ruling on behalf of the police, stating that it would serve as a deterrent to others, emphasizing that those who commit crimes will face consequences.
