POLICE HAVE ARRESTED two more suspects in relation to the gruesome murder of six members of one family in Byimana Sector, Ruhango District last week.

The arrest of the duo brings the total number of detained suspects to five. Police had earlier held three people, all close relatives to the victims.

According to the Southern Region Police Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Hubert Gashagaza, the new suspects were detained following evidence so far gathered.

Investigations into the heinous crime are still ongoing, he said.  

"We still have a lot to do but we will not rest until we uncover the truth behind the gruesome murders,” he said, adding that all culprits will be arrested and brought to book.

The killing of a mother and her five children in Gahama village, Kamusenyi Cell shocked many people with many questioning the motive behind the savage act.

On Sunday, hundreds of mourners converged to pay their last respects to the victims who were buried during a solemn ceremony.

While speaking at the burial, Ruhango District mayor Francois Xavier Mbabazi promised residents that all those behind the gruesome murder will be arrested and prosecuted

He also called upon residents to facilitate investigations as a way of ensuring that all culprits are identified and brought to book.

The bodies of Josephine Kankesha, a mother in her mid-forties, and her five children, three boys and two girls aged between four and 17 years, were found on the morning of Saturday with deep cuts.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the victims were hacked to death using machetes and their bodies dumped in the family’s living room.

The victims were found after  about 48 hours after they were killed, according to Police.

In a statement released last Saturday, Police Spokesperson ACP Damas Gatare, said preliminary investigations indicate that the murder might have been a result of land conflicts between family members.