Investigators have been advised to conduct further tests on samples taken from the body of fallen journalist and Ntungamo district Local Government Communications Officer,Anthony Kushaba after a postmortem raised suspicion that he could have been poisoned.
Kushaba was the younger brother of a human rights lawyer and activist Eron Kiiza who is currently in exile.
Dr Dorcus Buregyeya, who led the team that conducted the postmortem, said the examination also found signs consistent with a possible heart attack, although the exact cause of death remains unclear pending further tests.
“We found one part of the heart without blood. From the way they described his posture on the bed when they found him, in simple English we can say he had a heart attack, but we shall do more tests on the samples we collected,” Buregyeya said.
She said the team also observed bleeding from Kushaba’s nose and eyes, prompting them to consider the possibility of poisoning and body samples have been handed over to the analytical laboratory for testing.
Dr Buregyeya made the revelations during a special sitting of the Ntungamo District Council convened to pay tribute to Kushaba. “Allow me to say this off camera”.
“Everyone here knows that Anthony was killed. Recently he was presenting when we had visitors at the district and he developed a strange condition. Witchcraft and bad hearts at Ntungamo district headquarters…only God knows,” a source who preferred anonymity.
Kushaba, 38, a journalist and public servant, served as Ntungamo District’s communication officer for eight years. He was found dead in his rented home on Friday, hours after attending his aunt’s burial in Nyabihoko the previous day.
According to accounts presented to the district, Kushaba attended the burial on Thursday, later had dinner with colleagues and drove home at about 10 pm. He was found dead inside his house the following day.
At the council sitting, District Speaker Bernard Ahabwe Mupenda said it was important for the district to honour Kushaba, whom he described as a dedicated public servant who served the council diligently.
The motion to pay tribute to Kushaba was moved by Bibiana Kakinoni, the woman councillor representing Itojo Sub-county and Nyamukana Town Council, and was unanimously supported by the council.
Kakinoni described Kushaba as sociable and cooperative, saying he maintained good relations with councillors and other district officials.
Fidelis Kiiza, the district chief administrative officer, described Kushaba as a corruption-free civil servant who helped revive the district communication office after it had remained largely dormant for 13 years.
Kushaba’s father, Albany Mbabazi, described his son as hardworking and purposeful, saying he made good use of his time and abilities to serve others and contribute to his community.
From the journalism fraternity, journalist Perez Rumanzi described Kushaba as a passionate media professional who mentored many journalists and remained committed to the industry.
The widow, Emily Kushaba, remembered him as a humble and loving husband who served as a mentor, counsellor and caring partner to his family. Kushaba was buried on Sunday at his ancestral home in Rwentobo, Rwahi Town Council, Ntungamo district, leaving behind a widow and three sons. Additional reporting – The Observer Ug.
