Husband held as UPDF soldier dies in Luwero house fire

2026-03-23 - 21:14

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has intensified investigations into the death of corporal Christine Babirye after emerging details suggested the incident may be linked to domestic violence. Babirye, who was attached to Bombo military hospital, succumbed to severe burn injuries on Sunday morning after she was reportedly set ablaze inside her home in Mpakawero Lufuula village at about 10:00 pm on Saturday. According to area leaders, neighbours were alerted by thick smoke billowing from the house. They broke into the structure and rescued her with critical burns before rushing her to Bombo hospital, where she died at around 4:00 am on Sunday. By Monday, investigators had shifted focus to reconstructing the final hours leading to her death, with attention turning to a reportedly troubled domestic relationship. James Mulambuzi, the LC I chairperson of Mpakawero Lufuula village, said preliminary accounts indicate that Babirye’s husband, Dickson Mwesigwa, who previously contested for the Bombo Central parish councillor seat, allegedly locked her inside the house after setting it on fire. Mulambuzi said the couple had reportedly been experiencing misunderstandings linked to accusations of extramarital affairs and disputes over ownership of the land where their home is located. Luwero district police commander Brighton Ahimbisamukama confirmed that Mwesigwa is in custody at Bombo police station and will be transferred to Central police station as investigations continue. He added that the suspect will be charged in accordance with the law. Babirye’s death has renewed concern over persistent domestic violence in Luwero district, which continues to register high numbers of such cases. According to the 2024 Annual Crime Report, Luwero recorded 287 cases of domestic violence, ranking fifth among districts with the highest incidence nationwide. The case mirrors previous incidents of extreme domestic violence in the district. In 2024, the High court in Luwero sentenced former Anglican priest Rev. David Sekibaala to 12 years in prison after he strangled his wife, Deborah Nakalema, and set her body on fire in an attempt to conceal the crime. Court records indicate that Sekibaala later fled to his brother’s home, where he falsely reported that his wife had died in a bomb explosion at their residence before going into hiding. He was later arrested and prosecuted. The same court also sentenced Mustapha Kabogoza, alias Musunda, a resident of Namaliga West Zone in Bombo Town, to life imprisonment after convicting him of the murder of 26-year-old Annet Orishaba, also known as Kate Natukunda, who had been working at his brothel.