Police in Nyagatare District are holding a man suspected of stabbing a 22-year-old man, who later succumbed to the injuries.

Emmanuel Manishimwe, a resident of Gasange cell, Rwempasha Sector in Nyagatare District, reportedly stabbed Ivan Rukundo, with a knife, who later died on the way to a health centre.

The suspect is detained at Nyagatare Police Station as investigations continue to establish what sparked off the criminal act, police said.

Manishimwe is said to have attacked the deceased on May 23 at around 08:30pm on his way home.

Residents rushed to rescue him but in vain.

After spending over a month in hiding, the suspect was arrested in Rwimiyaga sector after neighbours tipped off Police.

"We got the information from residents that the suspect was hiding in a neighbouring sector. He was immediately arrested…we thank the whistleblowers for their continued collaboration with the Police,” said IP Emmanuel Kayigi, the Police Spokesperson in the Eastern Region.

Police said Manishimwe confessed to the murder claiming he killed the man in self defence.

Kayigi said Police in the area is taking stringent measures to prevent such acts and to ensure that such criminals face justice.

"The suspect has pleaded guilty to killing Rukundo after the latter tried to apprehend him after he found him smuggling illicit alcohol from Uganda,” said the police officer.

"The suspect will be produced in court soon…he will be charged in accordance with article 140 of the Penal Code. If proven guilty, he is likely to face life imprisonment,” he said.

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