Former Police Officer Sentenced To 18 Years For Stabbing Wife To Death

By Obed Kitende

The High Court, sitting today in Rukoki, Kasese District, has convicted and sentenced former police officer Syprian Kyakuhaire to 18 years in Murchison Bay Government Prison for the murder of his wife.

The court, presided over by Hon. Justice Lawrence Tweyanze, heard that on March 17, 2025, Kyakuhaire, also known as Matete, stabbed his wife, Valeria Masika, in the stomach with a knife at their home in Kakone village, Bwera Sub-county, Bukonzo County West.

Reports indicate that Ms. Masika returned home the day before the incident. Upon arriving with a boda-boda rider, found Kyakuhaire seated in the living room. After greeting him, Ms. Masika went to the bedroom, and Kyakuhaire followed her there. A quarrel ensued, during which he picked up a knife and stabbed her in the stomach. The attack caused severe injuries to several of her internal organs, ultimately leading to her death.

Following the incident, nearby residents were alerted and responded quickly. Upon arriving at the scene, they discovered that Kyakuhaire had removed the knife from his wife’s body and hidden it under the bed. The angry residents arrested him and later handed him over to the police.

In court, Kyakuhaire pleaded guilty to the charge. The judge imposed an 18-year sentence but deducted the time he had already spent on remand. As a result, Kyakuhaire will serve 17 years, 8 months, and 18 days in Murchison Bay Government Prison, where he will have access to medical services.