Police hunt for former Mwiri PS head teacher’s killers

Busoga region is mourning the death of the former Mwiri Primary School head teacher, Alexander Isabirye, who was attacked by thugs on his way to morning prayers.

The goons, riding on a motorcycle whose registration is yet to be identified, attacked Isabirye, as he emerged from his gate.

James Mubi, the Kiira regional police spokesperson, explained that Isabirye, a resident of Nakanyonyi village, Bugembe ward in Jinja City Northern Division, was attacked by machete-wielding goons as he emerged from his gate on the morning of March 1, 2024.

Mubi said Isabirye was at around 6:00 am heading to Miracle Centre Church when the attackers descended on him.

Henry Bukenya, the area defence secretary, said the deceased’s residence was 100 metres from the church.

He said the thugs were riding on motorcycles that barely made noise.

An eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity said he peeped through a hole in their small gate as the assailants aimed sharp objects towards the deceased.

Bukenya said Isabirye was cut twice on the back and top of the head before he was struck by a huge stone on the forehead.

Richard Balikoowa, the deceased’s neighbour said Isabirye made a beep call to him at 5:40 am to prepare and go for the morning prayers.

Eleven minutes later, Balikoowa said he emerged from his gate only to see Isabirye lying in a pool of blood as the assailants fled on their motorcycle.

Much as he sounded an alarm for help, Balikoowa said locals feared to come out of their houses.

“This incident was executed very fast because, within two minutes, they had finished their mission,” Balikoowa recounted on Saturday.

The assailants fled with Isabirye’s bag which contained a bible and a small feature phone but they later dumped it at St Florence Secondary School located on Katende Road in the same division.

Tributes flow

Former lands minister Daudi Migereko described Isabirye as a very useful person and valuable resource that Busoga has lost.

Migereko said the deceased did a commendable job of uplifting education standards wherever he was deployed.

He said panga-wielding goons had changed their timing from night to morning when people were heading to work and other engagements.

“It is most unfortunate that our teacher and friend was attacked by the panga-wielding boys, we are all hurt by this murder, this wouldn’t be the way his life would have ended,” said Migereko, insisting that the morning attacks were a new strategy.

Monica Tadhira, a renowned teacher, said the deceased inspired and nurtured her son and many more.

Rev. Dr Joy Mukisa Isabirye of the Jinja city-based Christ's Cathedral Bugembe, said the tragedy had hit the cathedral hard.

Richard Gulume, the Jinja Resident District commissioner and a neighbour to the deceased, implored residents to be security cautious.

He also urged the public with any clue related to the murder to avail it to security so that the assailants are brought to book.

He said security would be beefed up both during day and night and that it would also be visible and invisible.

The Police said they had zoned the city by deploying squads equipped with logistics, comprising the military and local leaders, with the Police in the lead.

Isabirye becomes the latest to be killed by panga-wielding goons after Prossy Nyanga, a weightlifter whose assailants were brought to book, and Rogers Kifubangabo, a then parish chief in Kamuli.