'Kibanda' video hall operator burns customer to death over Shs5,000 in Arua

The suspect has been identified as Sunday Gabo, owner of a video hall at Nyaunyau Trading Centre in Orugbo Ward, Ayivu West Division, Arua City, and police has doubled efforts to find him following the death of the victim on Wednesday September 28, since Gabo ran off on September 14, 2022.

It is said that the victim, Joshua Amaku, went to watch a soccer match at Gabo's video hall on September 14 but before he could enter, Gabo requested him to go buy petrol for refilling the generator, upon which Amaku accepted.

Gabo handed him Shs20,000 and told him to buy petrol for Shs10,000.

When he returned with the petrol, Gabo asked for his balance of Shs10,000 but Amaku declined to hand over the money, saying he wanted his transport refund of Shs5,000. Gabo accepted to give him the refund and asked for the remaining Shs5,000, but Amaku said that it was to cover a previous debt that the former had received from him.

This sparked off an argument that culminated in Gabo opening the lid on the petrol jerrican and pouring it on Amaku. He then reached for a matchbox in his pocket and lit a fire that enveloped the deceased.

Josephine Angucia, the West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson, confirmed the incident saying that the fire sent video hall goers running away from the hall which Gabo used as a chance to escape.

“Other onlookers who had gone to watch the football match ran out of the hall including the suspect leaving the deceased struggling for his life,” Angucia said.

Amaku, however, was put out by good Samaritans who used sand after he managed to force his way out of the hall. He sustained severe injuries but police was able to reach him in time and rushed him to hospital.

He had been undergoing treatment at Arua hospital for days when he succumbed on Wednesday September 28, 2022.