By Karim Were
Authorities in Kisoro District are facing mounting scrutiny following the arrest of three police officers and two civilians accused of secretly burying a Congolese man who reportedly died while in police custody.
The suspects, all linked to Nyabwishenya Police Post, were detained on the orders of the District Police Commander as investigations intensify into what regional police spokesperson Elly Maate described as an unlawful burial carried out without notifying senior authorities.
The deceased, identified as 30-year-old Uwimana, is said to have been arrested after an altercation at a local drinking spot on the night of May 6, 2026. According to preliminary investigations, he had allegedly been assaulted by civilians before being handed over to police and charged with threatening violence.
Hours later, Uwimana was reportedly found dead inside the police cell under circumstances that remain unclear.
Instead of officially reporting the death, investigators believe the officers collaborated with civilians to bury the body secretly during the night on private land belonging to Nizeyimana Kamara. Police also allege that the officers later attempted to cover up the incident by informing the deceased’s relatives that he had been released.
The alleged cover-up unraveled after a group of Congolese nationals crossed into Uganda on May 8 demanding answers over Uwimana’s disappearance. Their confrontation with officers at the police post prompted intervention from senior security officials and led investigators to the burial site.
Authorities have since ordered the exhumation of the body to allow a postmortem examination before repatriation to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The incident has triggered public outrage and renewed concerns over the handling of suspects in police custody, as investigations continue into both the death and the alleged concealment.
