Grief and shock engulfed residents of Lyamutunde village, Mpala zone in Katabi Town Council, Entebbe on Monday when a Nkumba University finalist identified as Ivan Ngobi burnt to death in a mysterious fire.
According to those who knew him, Ngobi was a city socialite popularly known as Vegas, who ran an events company called Vegas Events. He was also the organizer of a theme night in Kampala dubbed “Blue Party”.
Humphrey Kagimu, a friend of the deceased, had been taking care of him since Saturday when the incident occurred.
Kagimu told Police on Monday that he arrived at Ngobi’s place on Saturday to finalize preparations for the “Blue Party” season two that was to be held on Thursday, October 26 Space Bar and Lounge, only to realize that the deceased had set himself ablaze.
He narrated that he saw smoke from Ngobi’s bedroom and tried to save him. He revealed that the deceased instructed him not to report the matter to police or anyone to which he complied.
The deceased who also operated Las Vegas Bar near Nkumba University, was staying with his lover identified as Christine Nabukenya, known by many as ‘Musawo’.
Musawo according to residents travelled to the UK a month ago, leaving in control of her house.
The deceased’s father Fred Ngobi, a resident of Bunamwaya in Makindye Division said that they were surprised when they informed that Ivan died at his lover’s home because they thought he was residing in Gayaza.
“All along we knew that Ivan was residing in Gayaza, infact when they informed us about his death, we were rushing to Gayaza only to be told that he was residing at the Girl Friend’s home in Lyamutunde, Mpala zone. We were not aware that Ivan was residing in Lyamutunde,” he said.
The deceased’s body was taken to Mulago Hospital for a postmortem.
His friend Humphrey Kagimu was taken to Entebbe Police to help Police in investigations.
The OC Mpala Police Post, Joseph Sekitoleko while speaking to journalists about the incident urged locals to adopt the “Neighborhood Watch” security measure noting that if Police had been notified early enough, perhaps Ngobi’s life would have been saved.
