A quiet farming village in Central Uganda is in shock after a son allegedly orchestrated the brutal murder of his elderly father. The killing, which police claim was a murder-for-hire plot, has cast a dark shadow over Kakindo village in Mubende District, leaving a family and a community shattered.

The case highlights the violent breaking point of family disputes, a tragic theme that resonates deeply across East Africa. For many in Kenya, where conflicts over land and inheritance frequently turn deadly, this story from across the border is a chilling cautionary tale about the erosion of kinship when property is at stake.

Joseph Masukano Tayombere, a 70-year-old coffee farmer, was ambushed and killed while tending to his plantation on the morning of December 16. Wamala regional police spokesperson Lamech Kigozi confirmed the incident, identifying the primary suspect as the victim's own 22-year-old son, Tadeo Sempa.

According to preliminary police investigations, Sempa allegedly contracted Moses Lule, from a neighbouring district, to carry out the attack for a payment of three million Ugandan Shillings (approx. KES 108,300).

A Swift Capture by a Vigilant Community

The suspects’ escape was thwarted by the quick action of local residents. Kigozi noted that villagers became suspicious when the pair tried to flee the scene and raised an alarm. Sempa was reportedly apprehended by a mob and sustained serious injuries before being handed over to the police.

Under questioning, he allegedly confessed and revealed that his accomplice, Lule, had escaped on a boda-boda. In a remarkable display of community coordination, local motorcycle riders intercepted the fleeing suspect at a nearby stage and handed him over to authorities. Lule also reportedly admitted to being hired by Sempa.

• Victim: Joseph Masukano Tayombere, 70.
• Primary Suspect: Tadeo Sempa, 22 (son).
• Alleged Hitman: Moses Lule.
• Alleged Fee: UGX 3 million (approx. KES 108,300).

A Grisly Scene and an Ongoing Investigation

Police who examined the crime scene described Tayombere's body as being "severely mutilated," with deep cuts that underscored the brutality of the attack. While the motive has not been officially confirmed, such violent familial disputes in the region are often linked to inheritance and land ownership. The investigation is ongoing as authorities prepare to bring formal charges, including murder, against the two suspects.

Sempa is currently receiving medical treatment under police guard, while Lule remains in custody. Police have praised the residents and boda-boda riders, stating their vigilance was critical in the swift apprehension of the suspects and serves as a powerful example of community policing.

As the legal process begins, the community of Kakindo is left to grapple with a haunting question: how a relationship between a father and son could end in such a devastating and final act of violence.