Police in Kiboga District have opened investigations into the death of a 16-year-old girl whose body was found in a coffee plantation days after she returned home and told her mother that she had found a man and started living with him.
Phionah Namukisa, a resident of Wabitosi-Ndeeba LC1, Degeya Parish, Nkandwa Sub-county, was found dead on Friday in Kitete Village, Kajjere Parish, Kibiga Sub-county.
Police said the circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear and that investigators are examining events in the days preceding her death.
Namukisa had reportedly disappeared from her relatives’ home on August 28. Her mother, Jane Namaganda, reported the disappearance to the village chairperson and continued searching for her.
On September 2, Namukisa returned home and told her mother that she had found a man identified as Joram Sserugo and had started living with him in Kajjere.
According to police, the news angered some of her uncles, who insisted that she return home. Her mother sided with them and asked a 13-year-old girl to accompany Namukisa back to Sserugo’s home.
However, police said the teenager found another woman, identified as Resty Nantale, at the house.
When Namukisa asked about the woman, Sserugo reportedly told her that Nantale was his wife and had returned after learning that he had started living with another woman.
Police said Sserugo then left to look for alternative accommodation for Namukisa at a neighbour’s home as he attempted to resolve the dispute the following morning.
A confrontation reportedly followed between Namukisa and Nantale. Police allege that Nantale assaulted the teenager before Sserugo returned and separated the two.
Sserugo then reportedly arranged for Namukisa to spend the night at a neighbour’s home.
The following morning, September 3, Namukisa reportedly left the home of the neighbour, identified as Master Ibra.
Her body was discovered the following day in a coffee plantation belonging to Noah Lwanga.
Police said they found injuries on the body and are investigating whether they were connected to the circumstances of her death.
The body was first discovered by Jackson Kizito, who had gone to the plantation to collect herbs. He reportedly informed his mother, who then alerted the village chairperson.
The matter was subsequently reported to Kibiga Sub-county Police Station.
Police officers from Kibiga were reinforced by a team from Kiboga Central Police Station led by the District Police Commander, SP Julius Jingo, together with homicide investigators.
The scene was examined and documented before the body was taken to Kiboga Hospital for a postmortem examination.
Sserugo has since been arrested and is being held by police as investigations continue.
Police said investigators are working to establish what happened after Namukisa left the neighbour’s home and whether anyone else was involved in her death.
Police urge parents to guide children
Lameck Kigozi, the Wamala Regional Police spokesperson, urged parents to provide guidance to children even when they disagree with their decisions.
‘We appeal to parents to always guide their children rightly, even if the child has angered you or done something against the family values and norms. Emotionally induced decisions involving children usually result in horrible consequences,’ Kigozi said.
He also cautioned men against misleading young girls, saying relationships involving minors can expose them to dangerous situations.
‘Men should also desist from the habit of lying to young girls, to avoid the situation Sserugo has found himself in,’ he said.
Police have urged the public to allow investigators to establish the circumstances surrounding Namukisa’s death rather than relying on speculation.