Bella’s suspected killer arrested in Gatsibo

Rwanda National Police has arrested Sylvestre Hora, the former house-help accused of killing a 12-year-old daughter of the family that employed him in Nyamirambo.

Monday, March 31, 2014
Hora was arrested in Gatsibo District. (Courtesy)

Rwanda National Police has arrested Sylvestre Hora, the former house-help accused of killing a 12-year-old daughter of the family that employed him in Nyamirambo.

Hora, who goes by a different name at different places, is said to have waylaid Shalom ‘Bella’ Uwase at the family compound the day after he was told his services to the family were no longer needed following reports of unbecoming behaviour, and slit her throat.

The Wednesday incident saw Bella bleed to death while being rushed to hospital by her elder brother Olivier Iryamukuru.

"Rwanda Police has arrested Hora Sylvestre, the killer of the 12-year-old Uwase Bella in Kabarore, Gatsibo District,” Police said on their Twitter handle.

Bella’s killing caused public outcry as the public called for Police to scour the country to apprehend the suspect, who, according to Iryamukuru, fled the scene after the horrendous deed.

By yesterday, Police had released a mug shot of the suspect and called on the public to volunteer any information that might lead to his arrest.

Hora has been going by various names, including Silvestre Hora–as in the national identity card–but with several pseudo names such as Silvestre Mpore and Sylvan Hagumamahoro, Police said.

He hails from Gikonko Gisagara District in Southern Province.

Police Spokesperson Damas Gatare advised families to always register house-helps with local authorities.

"Don’t just find someone on the way and take them home. First contact their family and register them with local authorities as this helps Police trace them in case of any crime,” he said.  

The 31-year-old house-help faces murder charges.