Charles Sadam, attached to the out-witted March 23 Movement (M23) rebels, has been linked to the murder of Isaac Sendegeya, a lawyer based in Kisoro.
M23, also known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army, was a rebel military group based in eastern DR Congo, mainly operating in the province of North Kivu.
Yesterday, the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) operatives arrested five suspects in connection with the murder of Sendegeya.
The two security agencies picked the suspects, along with the Police’s Directorate of Crime Intelligence operatives, a Police ‘brainpower’ gathering unit, led by Col Chris Sserunjogi Damulira.
Sendegeya, 37, who was the proprietor of Isaac Sendegeya and Advocates, was shot dead at his home at about 1:00am on Monday. Sources privy to the probe said the ex-M23 army man (Sadam), currently on the run, was allegedly contracted by some businessmen who had lost a land case in Kisoro, in which Sendegeya was the defense lawyer.
Several people connected to the case have since been apprehended. The suspects arrested by the army are; Ashman Tito Hagumakwiha, Issah Mvano, Scholar Nyiramajambere, Hadijja Niyijena and a one Mutesi.
Investigations under CRB 542/2019 indicate that Hagumakwiha, Mvano and Nyiramajambere are alleged to have been embroiled in a civil suit in court and the deceased has been the defense lawyer for the defendant, Migyere, who recently won the case in Kisoro Court.
According to security findings, Niyigena and Mutesi are said to have been in a relationship with Sadam, the prime suspect in the shooting. The murder has caused fresh scare, with the Kisoro community calling for reinforced security.
Several residents claim that people behind the murders are from DR Congo and Rwanda. Abel Bizimaana, the district chairperson, said in 2016, he proposed plans to fight murders but his efforts nearly cost him the seat. “I was nearly censured in 2016 after speaking against the presence of armed Congolese M23 rebels,” he said.