Police have broken their silence on the brutal killing of Kisoro businessman Africano Nteziyaremye and his wife, Peace Kyompeire, revealing how the couple abandoned their pickup truck and attempted to flee on foot after an armed attacker ambushed them outside their home.
The latest police account provides fresh details of the October 17 night attack in Zindiro Cell, Kamonyi Ward, Northern Division, Kisoro Municipality, where the prominent trader and his wife were shot dead at about 11pm as they returned home with their shop attendant.
According to police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke, the couple’s attempt to escape by vehicle was frustrated by the narrow road, leaving them with little option but to abandon the pickup and run for their lives.
Nteziyaremye, who operated a wholesale business in Kisoro town, reportedly tried to reverse the vehicle after the armed man confronted them at their gate. However, the road was too narrow to allow him to turn around and drive away.
The couple subsequently jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot, hoping to escape the gunman’s attack. The assailant, however, pursued them and shot them dead.
In a chilling turn of events, the attacker reportedly returned his attention to the couple’s shop attendant, demanding money before searching the victims and fleeing the scene.
“The attacker reportedly demanded money from the shop attendant and searched the victims before fleeing,” Rusoke said.
Police said robbery was among the possible motives being investigated, although detectives had not yet established the full circumstances behind the double killing.
The latest account has added to the shock surrounding the deaths of the couple, whose killing has sent waves of grief through Kisoro’s business community.
Nteziyaremye was a well-known trader whose wholesale shop was located along Mosque Road, opposite the Baby Coach offices in Kisoro town. He and his wife had built their business over several years and were familiar figures among traders and residents.
Kamonyi Ward councillor Augustine Mbonigaba described the businessman as generous, saying he supported community activities and assisted vulnerable residents.
The circumstances of the killing have also reignited concerns over the safety of traders in Kisoro, a border district neighbouring Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where previous incidents involving armed criminals have heightened anxiety among business owners.
In April 2025, gunmen shot shop attendant Kenneth Mucunguzi and robbed him of Shs23 million in Muramba Sub-county. In October 2022, Indian businessman Patel Kuntaj was shot dead inside his hardware shop in Kisoro Municipality.
Following the latest attack, Kisoro Deputy Resident District Commissioner Dan Ndikumwami called for stronger security patrols and better transport for security personnel to improve their response to criminal incidents.
Earlier, Kigezi regional police spokesperson Nelson Tumushime confirmed that detectives and a canine unit had examined the crime scene as investigators sought evidence that could help identify the attacker.
As of October 18, police had not announced any arrests, while investigations continued to establish the motive, trace the suspect and bring those responsible to justice.
Police have appealed to members of the public with information about the attack to come forward and assist investigators.
For Kisoro’s business community, the killings have left painful questions about the security of traders and their families, particularly those returning home late at night after a day’s business.
