Police Hunt Son for Allegedly Killing Mother Over Land Dispute in Iganga

Police in the Busoga East region have launched a manhunt for Anthony Kalulu, who is wanted in connection with the murder of his 56-year-old mother, Sylvia Balikulimya, in Iganga District.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Kalulu and his mother had been involved in a long-standing dispute over a 30×100-foot plot of land on which Balikulimya’s home stands.

Neighbours, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the disagreement had persisted for about three months, during which Balikulimya allegedly complained of repeated physical assaults by her son. The conflict reportedly escalated on Thursday night when Kalulu stormed his mother’s home in Kasolo Village, Bulamagi Sub-County, Iganga District.

It is alleged that Kalulu attacked his mother using a blunt object, striking her on the head and causing fatal injuries. Police say that after the killing, the suspect allegedly buried the body inside the house before fleeing the area. The crime came to light after a suspicious resident alerted the police, prompting detectives to visit and secure the scene later that night.

Busoga East Regional Police Spokesperson Michael Kasadha confirmed the incident, saying investigators recovered several suspected murder weapons that had been buried alongside the victim’s remains.

“The exhibits recovered include a machete, axe and knife, all stained with visible traces of blood,” Kasadha said.

He added that detectives also retrieved blood-stained bedsheets from a nearby pit latrine, which Kalulu is suspected to have used to wrap the body before secretly burying it inside the house.

Police have since alerted territorial commanders across the Busoga sub-region to intensify the search for the suspect, who is believed to be hiding in neighbouring areas. Kasadha warned that domestic disputes, particularly those involving family property, often escalate into fatal incidents when parties fail to resolve their differences peacefully.

He urged the public to embrace peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms, noting that dialogue and mediation are essential in preventing violence and promoting harmonious coexistence within families.