Authorities in Namisindwa District are investigating a severe domestic violence incident in which a 25-year-old man allegedly set fire to his father-in-law’s house and vandalized crops following a family misunderstanding.
The suspect, identified as Elijah Mataya, a resident of Namungiri Village in Buwanzala Parish, Bumbo Sub County, was arrested on Friday, 14th November 2025.
The altercation began earlier that morning after Mataya’s wife, Milika Nabuso, reportedly fled to her father’s home following a domestic disagreement.
At around 4:00 am, Mataya allegedly followed her to the residence and demanded that his father-in-law open the door and return his wife.
Witnesses say the father-in-law refused to comply, prompting Mataya to escalate the situation.
According to Simon Wefunya, an area resident who witnessed the events, “when family members refused to open the door, Mataya decided to set fire on the house and cut down all his onions, coffee and bananas among others.”
Wefunya added that no injuries were reported because the family inside managed to flee before the fire intensified.
He confirmed that “all property inside was burnt into ash,” leaving the household with significant losses.
Following the destruction, the father-in-law immediately reported the matter to the area LC1 Chairman, Museveni Nabufu.
Nabufu apprehended the suspect and initiated the process of transferring him to law enforcement authorities for formal handling.
By the time of reporting, the LC1 Chairman was completing documentation “to hand him over to the Bumbo Police Post for formal charges.”
The incident has drawn concern among community leaders, who say cases of domestic violence and retaliatory attacks are becoming increasingly common in some rural communities.
Local authorities are urging families to seek mediation and legal channels rather than resorting to violence, warning that such criminal acts carry serious penalties under Ugandan law.
Police in Namisindwa are expected to open charges related to arson, malicious damage to property, and potential endangerment of life as investigations progress.
