Man hacked children to death due to frustration

By Francis Ontomwa

In October 2012, in Irichero village, Ikolomani Constituency, villagers woke up to shock after Aggrey Shikalayi, 40, axed his three children to death. Shikalayi attacked his wife before landing on his children, who were then asleep killing two instantly.

 “We have never come to terms with what Shikalayi did. He was a humble man who adored his family,” said Andrew Shimonje, a resident.

Anaswa and other villagers were still puzzled at how frustrations could lead to the death of innocent children. They say Shikalayi never exhibited any traits of violence, just like his siblings.

The wife escaped with serious injuries and alerted her in-laws, who rushed to the house hoping to save the children.

Shikalayi declined to open the door but when the residents, with the help of police who responded from an alarm, broke into the house, found Shikalayi hanging on a rope.

They then moved to the bedroom where they were stunned to see the three children lying in a pool of blood.

Head injuries

Two of the children had succumbed to the injuries but the younger one was still alive. The youngest was taken to Mukumu Mission Hospital but died on arrival as she had serious head injuries.

The then Ikolomani OCPD Mohammed Ahmed told The Standard On Sunday they got a suicide note in the house indicating Shikalayi was HIV positive, he, therefore  never wanted to live nor leave his family to suffer.

Selina Shikalayi, 64, mother to the deceased, said his son was polite and incapable of harming anyone.

In 2011, another man in Shinyalu constituency reportedly killed his two children and wife over food.