Video hall operator burns customer to death over sh10,000

ARUA, UGANDA: The territorial police of Ayivu West division in Arua City is on the hunt for a video operator who burnt to death his client using petrol over 10,000 shillings note.

The suspect on the run is identified as Sunday Gabo who owns a video hall at Nyaunyau Trading Centre in Orugbo Ward, Ayivu West Division, Arua City while the deceased is one Joshua Amaku a resident in the same area.

According to West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson Josephine Angucia, “It is alleged that on September 14, Amaku (now deceased) had gone to watch soccer at the suspect’s video hall where he was requested to go and buy petrol to fill the generator that was to be used to operate the video, which the deceased accepted.

The suspect gave him a note of Shs20,000 and instructed him to buy petrol for Shs10,000 which he brought and upon his return, the suspect asked for his balance of shs10,000, however the victim demanded his transport refund of Shs5000 which the suspect accepted.

Amaku then told the suspect that the remaining Shs5000 balance was to cover the previous debt, which did not go well with the suspect.

‘The two picked quarrels and the suspect got the petrol, opened the lid and poured it on the deceased. He removed match box from his pocket and lit fire on the deceased. Other onlookers who had gone to watch football match in the hall ran out of the hall including the suspect leaving the deceased struggling for his life.,” Ms. Angucia said.

She added that other onlookers who had gone to watch the football match ran out of the hall including the suspect leaving the deceased struggling for his life, but the victim later forced his way out of the hall where good Samaritans help to put off fire on him using sand.

“They informed the LC2 chairman of Orugbo ward called Opiyo Abiria Anania who rushed to the scene, took the deceased to Arua Hospital for treatment at the same time reported to police.” she said.

Angucia said that police were informed and rushed to the scene where they picked up the victim and took him to Arua Hospital where he was undergoing treatment until September 28, when he died.

“Police team rushed to the scene and found when the suspect had gone into hiding, recorded statement from eye witnesses and the victim before he died, issued PF3 to him for medical examination. Since 14th September 2022 his condition at the hospital continued to deteriorate until when he died on 28th September 2022 at 9:00 pm.”

A postmortem was done to the body on 29th September 2022 by Police Surgeon and handed over for burial and the relatives and the entire community were cautioned not to take law into their hands by revenging but instead assist police in tracing for the suspect.

“We urge members of the general public not to practice such ruthless and barbaric acts of killing others whatever the reason may be. They should instead report their civil disagreements to their local leaders for proper harmonization and if it’s criminal they should report to police for better management,” she concluded.