Police in Sironko District have commenced investigations into the tragic murder of a 65-year-old charcoal vendor who was allegedly struck and killed by a 21-year-old woman during a dispute over an unpaid balance of UGX 4,000.
The incident took place on the evening of Saturday, August 22, 2026, at around 7:00 PM in Buyola Village, Buyola Parish, Buyobo Sub-County, Sironko District.
1. The Tragic Shs4,000 Charcoal Dispute
According to the Elgon Region Police Spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Rogers Taitika, the deceased has been identified as Moses Busima (65), while the suspect in custody is Merriam Nafuna (21), both residents of Buyola Village.
Police investigations indicate that on Friday, August 21, 2026, Busima sold a sack/portion of charcoal to Nafuna at an agreed total price of UGX 8,000. Nafuna made an initial down payment of UGX 4,000, promising to clear the outstanding UGX 4,000 balance the following day.
Incident Summary:
├── Deceased: Moses Busima, 65 (Charcoal Vendor)
├── Suspect: Merriam Nafuna, 21 (Resident of Buyola Village)
├── Scene of Crime: Buyola Village, Buyobo Sub-County, Sironko District
├── Total Transaction: UGX 8,000 (UGX 4,000 Paid, UGX 4,000 Debt)
└── Cause of Death: Fatal blunt force trauma to the head (Hoe handle)
2. Fatal Blow with a Hoe Handle
On Saturday evening, Busima visited the suspect’s home to collect his balance. However, Nafuna reportedly stated she had no money and threw the charcoal back at the vendor.
As the elderly man bent down to gather his charcoal from the ground, Nafuna allegedly grabbed a wooden hoe handle and struck him forcefully on the head. Busima collapsed and died instantly at the scene.
3. Suspect Apprehended by Community Members
Following the fatal blow, neighbors and community members apprehended Nafuna and handed her over to Buyobo Police Post, where she was formally taken into custody.
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Police Action: Homicide detectives visited and documented the scene of the crime.
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Postmortem Examination: Busima’s body was retrieved and conveyed to the Mbale City Mortuary for a comprehensive postmortem analysis.
4. Police Urge Peaceful Conflict Resolution
Condemning the incident, SP Taitika cautioned the public against resorting to violence when handling financial disputes, urging community members to seek mediation through local council (LC) leaders or legal authorities.
“We strongly condemn such violent actions over minor disputes. We urge members of the community to always embrace dialogue, resolve disagreements peacefully, and report disputes to relevant authorities rather than taking the law into their own hands.”
— SP Rogers Taitika, Elgon Region Police Spokesperson
The suspect faces formal charges of murder under the Penal Code Act once investigations and file reviews by the Resident State Attorney are concluded.
