The Police have arrested one person and are hunting for three others suspected to have hacked a family of nine people to death in Kyebe village, Rakai district.

Norah Nakyejwe, the prime suspect in connection with the murder, was arrested yesterday morning after a resident tipped off the Police.

According to the Police, Nakyejwe recently quarrelled with the pastor over the accountability of donor funds meant for church projects.

The victims were identified as Steven Mugambe (Pastor), Norah Nalinya (Mugambe's wife), Mariam Namatovu (Mugambe's mother), Jane Nakiwala, Christine Nassimbwa, Maxencia Nakirijja (all sisters of Mugambe), Andrew Ampeirwe and Dan Ssemwanga (brother to Mugambe).

"The assailants pounced on the victims while they were asleep. They killed one after the other by slitting their throats," the regional eastsouthern criminal intelligence boss only identified as Mbabazi, said.

Mbabazi added that: "A local resident told the Police that Nakyejwe, a church official, had a heated argument with the pastor over the donor funds earlier on."

The director of Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Directorate, Grace Akullo and top homicide Police officers held a meeting over the matter yesterday and later dispatched a team of Police detectives to visit the scene.

According to information received by the Police from the residents, donors were planning to visit the church soon.

"The pastor was allegedly planning to sack her from the church committee. Unfortunately he died before this would happen," Mbabazi said.