A 61-year-old former Local Council I (LC1) chairperson has died after sustaining severe burns in a suspected arson incident that destroyed his home in Kanungu District.
The deceased has been identified as Byakurama Justus, a resident of Bikomero Village, Katungu Parish, Rugyeyo Sub-county in Kanungu District.
According to Kigezi Regional Police, the incident occurred on the night of Tuesday, July 28, shortly after the conclusion of the LC1 elections, in which Byakurama reportedly lost his bid for re-election.
Police say that after the election results, Byakurama returned home with his family. At around 11:30 p.m., a fire allegedly broke out in the family’s kitchen before rapidly spreading to the main house.
Byakurama and his family members attempted to extinguish the flames but were overwhelmed by the intensity of the fire. He sustained serious burn injuries during the rescue effort.
The victim was rushed to Kambuga Hospital for treatment but was pronounced dead shortly after being admitted.
The fire also destroyed household property worth millions of shillings.
Police have launched investigations into the incident, which is being treated as suspected arson.
Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson SP Nelson Tumushime said investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire and identify those responsible.
