Prisoner tragically killed by log
Residents of Nyakinombe village in Mbaba Parish, Kazo Sub-county, Kazo District are mourning the tragic death of 18-year-old Kabandize Andrew. The young man died yesterday after sustaining injuries from a log he was carrying alongside a colleague.
Kabandize had been in Rugongi Prison in Kiruhura District where his mother, Merab Tuhumwire had taken him due to persistent misbehavior at home and in the community hoping the prison environment would help him reform.
Relatives expressed shock upon hearing of his passing and visited Kiruhura HCIV mortuary to find his body with visible injuries on his shoulder and cheek caused by the log. They were informed that a postmortem would cost UGX400,000 but due to financial constraints they could not afford the fee and were allowed to proceed with his burial.
The family criticized what they described as neglect and poor treatment by prison authorities and called for reforms at Rugongi Prison.
Stanley Turyamureeba, LC1 Chairman of Nyakinombe confirmed that Kabandize had a history of theft and misbehavior which his mother had reported multiple times including paying ransom on several occasions in an attempt to curb his actions.
He urged local youth to value discipline and respect their parents emphasizing the importance of good behavior and self-reliance even for those who have dropped out of school.
Efforts to contact Frank Baine, the Spokesperson for the Uganda Prisons Service were unsuccessful as his phone was unreachable.
Kabandize is scheduled to be buried on September 24, 2025, in Nyakinombe.
