The Ntungamo Magistrate’s Court has remanded three suspects, including a pastor, in connection with the kidnapping and murder of 1-year, 10-month-old Ariho Elijah and 19-year-old Ainembabazi Mellon. The victims were residents of Nyakyeera Town Council and Nyakishenyi sub-county in Rukungiri District.
The suspects are Innocent Namanya, 33, a businessman and biological father of the deceased child; Janepher Nuwahereza, 33, an Apostle at Healers Church Ministry in Karama Kafunjo, Mirama Hills Town Council, and Namanya’s second wife; and Alex Mutesigensi, 34, a boda boda rider hired to assist in the kidnapping.
They face charges of kidnap and murder. According to prosecution, Namanya conspired with Nuwahereza to orchestrate the abduction and murder of his son. On October 6, 2024, Namanya allegedly hired Ainembabazi to kidnap the child from his mother, Create Natukunda, during a church service in Nyakyeera Town Council. However, Ainembabazi refused to hand the child over to the boda boda rider after realizing the plot involved killing the child. She instead took the child to her home in Nyakishenyi.
The suspects later tracked Ainembabazi down and killed her. Both bodies were then disposed of in the Kanyehunde-Nyarwanya-Rubaare waters, where they were later recovered by the police and taken to Itojo Hospital for autopsy.
Investigations revealed that Namanya and Natukunda had an ongoing domestic dispute, which was being handled by the court. The suspects were remanded to Kiburara-Nyarubaare government prison, with their case set to be mentioned again on November 28.