NYAGATARE-Police in Nyagatare District are holding a 23-year-old man for allegedly hacking his neighbour with a machete.

Emmanuel Niyitgeka, a resident of Rugazi Cell, Katabagemu Sector, allegedly hacked his neighbour, only identified as Iyakaremye, 27, on Saturday evening during a drinking spree .

"They were sharing a drink in a bar. They later developed some misunderstanding. Niyitegeka rushed out and brought a machete and slashed Iyakaremye on the stomach,” police told The New Times.

"We immediately arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect. He is currently held at Nyakigando Police Post as investigations go on,” a source at the station said.

 The victim is under intensive care at a nearby health centre.

One of the local residents told The New Times that both the victim and suspect were drunk.

"Consumption of illicit brew is very common here. I watched them consuming it since morning. They must have acted under the influence of alcohol,” he narrated.

According to Police reports, a big percentage of crimes in the area are attributed to consumption of illicit brew.

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