A father in Masaka killed his daughter over accusations of betrayal before being lynched by an outraged mob, sparking discussions on mental health and domestic violence.
A wave of horror has engulfed Kitengeesa village in Masaka City after a tragic incident in which a father, Mwebe Deo, brutally killed his daughter, Sophia Nantume, before being lynched by an angry mob.
The tragedy unfolded after Mwebe accused Nantume, a Senior Three student at Buddu Islamic Secondary School, of gossiping about him and reporting him to the police. This accusation reportedly led to a violent confrontation that turned fatal.
Attack Unfolds in the Dead of Night
According to witnesses, Mwebe arrived home late at night, visibly agitated. He then sharpened a machete before launching a brutal attack on his sleeping daughter.
“I left him to toy with things, but when he told me to give him my bedroom keys, I refused. At 1 a.m., he brutally murdered my grandchild,” recalled Maidinah Nakayi, Nantume’s paternal grandmother.
Shaluwa Nakayi, another family member, initially assumed Mwebe was preparing the machete for garden work.
However, he later switched off the lights, then turned them back on, before attacking his daughter. Shaluwa narrowly escaped after Mwebe attempted to pin her down.
As he carried out the attack, Mwebe allegedly kept accusing Nantume of betraying him to the police.
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Mob Justice Ends Mwebe’s Life
Upon learning of the murder, the village defense unit, led by John Bosco Birungi, launched a manhunt. Mwebe initially tried to flee but later surrendered.
However, enraged residents took matters into their own hands, lynching him before law enforcement could intervene. Authorities later recovered the machetes used in the attack.
Calls for Vigilance and Mental Health Awareness
Kitengeesa Village Chairperson Kudra Mwanje condemned the horrific crime and urged residents to report any signs of domestic violence or suspicious behavior, including drug abuse, that could escalate into such tragedies.
Nantume’s classmates and friends described her as well-mannered and kind-hearted, leaving the community puzzled over what triggered her father’s deadly rage.
Notably, Mwebe was not known for drug or alcohol abuse, deepening the mystery surrounding his actions.
Masaka Resident District Commissioner Ahmad Washaka extended condolences to the grieving family and emphasized the need for vigilance in identifying individuals struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues.
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Police Investigations Underway
Greater Masaka Police Spokesperson Twaha Kasirye confirmed that investigations into the case were ongoing.
He also cautioned parents against excessive harshness towards their children, noting that Mwebe had been perceived as a “mummy’s boy” and had a history of strict parenting.
As the investigation continues, the tragedy has left the community in deep shock, raising urgent questions about the pressures that may drive individuals to such extreme acts.
