Father speaks out after three family members killed in Dodoma attack

Dodoma. A father has shared his grief after discovering that three of his family members were brutally killed and his wife was seriously injured by unknown assailants in Dodoma on the night of September 16, 2024.

The tragic incident occurred in Segu Bwawani Street, Nala ward, Dodoma, and was discovered at around 3:00 pm on September 16. The victims included 12-year-old Milcah Robert, who had just completed Standard Seven at Chilohoni Primary School, and Fatuma Mohamed, 20, a resident of Maili Mbili in Dodoma.

Another victim, identified as Micky, a 16-year-old housemaid, also lost her life in the attack.

The father, Mr Robert Mgema, a teacher at Ikungi District in Singida, narrated his harrowing experience of receiving the tragic news. He explained that he had last communicated with his wife, Ms Lusajo Mwasonge, via text on Sunday evening but was unable to reach her the following day.  Concerned, he tried calling her repeatedly, but there was no response.

Later on that day, his neighbour, known as Baba Kelvin, contacted him, expressing concern about the family’s silence and noting that no one had been seen leaving the house. The neighbour reported seeing bloodstains through the window and the housemaid lying motionless in the living room.

Realising something was wrong, Mr Mgema began his journey back to Dodoma.

While on the way, he received a devastating call from another neighbour confirming that three people had died. Upon his return, he found the bodies of his children and the housemaid, while his wife had been injured and rushed to the hospital.

“My wife was unconscious when I arrived. She had been hit during the attack.

I haven’t been able to see her yet, as she is receiving treatment at the Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital,” Mr Mgema said, visibly emotional.

Acting Dodoma Regional Police Commander Anania Amo confirmed the killings and said the victims’ bodies were found inside the house, with the children’s bodies burned.

The housemaid was found in the living room with severe head injuries, likely caused by a blunt object.

Commander Amo added that the police are continuing investigations into the gruesome murders and are seeking assistance from the public to help bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We urge residents to cooperate with the police, as they always do, to ensure that those responsible for this heinous crime are apprehended and brought to court,” said commander Amo.

The motive behind the attack remains unknown, and the family had no known disputes with anyone. Mr Mgema and his family had only lived in the Nala area for six months after relocating from Maili Mbili.

“I have no enemies, and we have lived peacefully here. I don’t understand why someone would attack my family,” Mr Mgema said. He expressed sorrow over the loss of his children, noting that his daughter Milcah had dreams of becoming an engineer.

The police investigation into the killings is ongoing.

This is one of the many troubling incidents that have occurred in Dodoma during the past two months.