MBARARA, Uganda — Police in Mbarara City are investigating the killing of a couple in a late night attack in Kafunjo Cell, Nyarubanga Ward, in Mbarara City North Division.
The victims have been identified as Jane Nakyanzi and Herbert Tulyatunga. Police said the two died from injuries sustained after they were attacked with crude weapons by unidentified assailants on the night of Sept. 20, 2026.
Rwizi Region Police spokesperson Samson Kasasira said officers were called to the scene at about 10 p.m. after the attack.
“We are investigating a double homicide where Nakyanzi Jane, a female adult of Kafunjo Cell, and Tulyatunga Herbert, a male adult and resident of Kafunjo, were hacked to death last night by yet to be identified assailants,” Kasasira said.
According to the preliminary police account, Nakyanzi was attacked first inside the couple’s home while Tulyatunga was away watching football.
When Tulyatunga returned and found his wife dead, the attackers reportedly turned on him.
Kasasira said Tulyatunga was ambushed as he made his way home. Children of his second wife reportedly intervened and helped him before he was taken to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for emergency treatment.
He later died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
A separate local report said police had detained Tulyatunga’s first wife, identified as Jane Kyobutungi, along with her two sons in connection with the deaths.
Police have not publicly established their alleged roles in the killings or disclosed a possible motive. The claims against those detained remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Police also deployed sniffer dogs at the scene in an attempt to trace the attackers. The canine operation did not lead investigators to any suspects.
Kasasira said detectives are continuing with interviews, scene examination and other investigations as the search for the attackers continues.
The motive for the killings remains unclear.
Kasasira also said the case comes amid an increase in violent deaths across the Rwizi Region, with more than 15 murder cases recorded over the past three weeks in Ibanda, Kazo, Mbarara District and Mbarara City.
The burial of Nakyanzi and Tulyatunga is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 23, as police investigations into their deaths continue.
Police have appealed to anyone with information that could help identify the attackers to report to the nearest police station.
