The family of a Ugandan money changer murdered in Rwanda in January 2013, is demanding the arrest of two key suspects alleged to have plotted his death.

Dickson Tinyinondi alias Musilamu, a Gatuna-based businessman, was waylaid at Gaseke, Rutare Sector in Gicumbi District, murdered and the vehicle he was travelling set on fire.

This week, the Gicumbi Intermediate Court, presided over by John Bosco Rutagendwa, handed sentences ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment to the culprits in the murder case.

Despite this judgement, however, the family of the deceased has expressed concern that the other suspects are at large.

“The last information we had from the Uganda Police is that initial reports they had indicated the two were hiding in France,” the late Tinyinondi’s sister, Patience Tumusiime, told Rwanda Today. “We have not received an update.”

The family also wants to recover the balance of the money that was stolen from their kin, which it estimates at Rwf305 million.

“Police gave us what it managed to recover,” Ms Tumusiime said. “We are considering suing for the full amount.”

Jean Pierre Nzamurambaho and Cosma Nyakagaragu alias Munyamurenge got life sentences with special provisions for murdering Mr Tinyinondi and desecrating his body while Francois Ntakirutimana was sentenced to life imprisonment without any provisions.

Despite having maintained that he was not aware of the plot to kill the businessman, the fact that he got a share of the loot was enough to earn Shabani Harerimana a 20-year jail term for conspiracy to murder.

According to Emmanuel Itamwa Mahame, the spokesperson of courts, the four had the right to appeal the sentences. He however added that the court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the four men planned and committed the murder, hence the punishment.

Named as accomplices

Following their arrest in January, the convicts named Fiston Mubirigi and a Musirikare, a demobilised soldier, who are both on the run, as accomplices to the murder.

Mr Mubirigi, who owned a taxi, was a regular driver of the deceased during his frequent trips to Kigali. It is alleged that he was the mastermind of the plot to rob and kill the businessman. He sent Mr Musirikare to procure petrol that was used to burn the car, according to the convicts.

The two, who have Interpol Red Notices on their names, reportedly fled the country with the biggest share of the loot. Initial reports suggested that they were in Nairobi.

The businessman’s relatives say that, owing to their regular contact, he had developed trust for Mr Mubirigi, who apparently knew about his every movement.
Police Spokesperson ACP Damas Gatare said investigators were pursuing the duo.

The murder left many in shock and triggered unrest at the Uganda-Rwanda border town of Gatuna with his fellow currency traders staging a demonstration, demanding their protection on Rwandan soil.

Mr Tinyinondi regularly commuted between Gatuna and Kigali, where he would purchase dollars and euros for trade the following day.