LEADING UGANDA

Mental Disorder Blamed For Murders

INCIDENTS of homicides have increased in the recent months. On July 31, Margaret Kasande a
resident of Kamwokya, in Kampala, strangled her four children aged between four years and eighteen months, before attempting suicide. Her husband Ssalongo Gerald Mukwandi, who happened on her in the trance of her act, rushed her to Mulago Hospital.

 She was also later taken to Butabika Psychiatric Hospital, for treatment of a mental disorder. In July alone, there were four homicides registered at different police stations in Uganda, according to a police source. A similar case was registered in April, while police had recorded another, in March.

Police in Rakai District were last month hunting for a family man, who was suspected of having murdered his wife and mother of twelve, after supposing her to have indulged in an extra marital affair. Ismail Ssegga Kavuluga, 52, allegedly used a machete to attack Florence Nalukwago, whose body was found outside their house.

 The district police commander Juma Okungo said Ssegga was consumed by jealousy when he supposedlycut his wife in different parts of her body. Her death followed a beating meted to her by Ssegga, during a heated argument over the alleged adultery. According to a Makerere University Medical School psychiatrist Joshua Tugumisirize, murders are often a result of social causes and/or mental mishaps.

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