A disagreement over a 20,000-shilling payment for picking coffee has ended in the death of a prominent farmer in Kiboga District, with police arresting a 27-year-old casual worker in connection with the killing.
Vincent Ssengaga, 47, died on Monday evening after he was allegedly cut with a panga during a confrontation with workers he had hired to pick coffee on his farm in Kiryamuli Village, Nakasozi Parish, Nakasozi Sub-county.
Police said Ssengaga had hired Maniriho Baseme and another worker, identified as Ssenteza, to pick coffee for 20,000 shillings.
According to Lameck Kigozi, the Wamala Region police spokesperson, the workers demanded payment after completing the work at about 1600hrs, but Ssengaga did not have the money at the time.
Kigozi said Baseme then decided to take a full tin of coffee as payment, but Ssengaga stopped him, leading to a heated argument.
“The deceased got a stick to beat the suspect, who then pulled out a panga from his trousers and cut him in the neck and left hand,” Kigozi said.
Ssengaga was taken to Nakasozi Health Centre II for first aid before being referred to Kiboga Main Hospital as his condition deteriorated.
Police said he died before reaching the hospital.
A report was made at Nakasozi Police Station by Ssenyonga Hamis, a resident of Kiryamuli Village.
Police said a homicide team was dispatched to the scene, where officers documented the area and recovered a blood-stained panga believed to have been used in the attack.
A police canine unit was also deployed and helped track and arrest Baseme, police said.
Kigozi said witness statements were recorded, while the body was taken to the Kiboga Hospital mortuary pending a post-mortem examination.
Police said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the killing are continuing.
Kigozi urged employers and casual workers to agree on payment terms before work begins to help prevent disputes.
“The appeal to our people is to always first agree with casual labourers on how they will be paid before hiring them for any kind of work,” he said.
