Police nabs Mityana suspected serial killer

Police said Friday they had arrested one person following a string of gruesome murders in the Mityana district, believed to be the work of a serial killer.

Kijjaja Samuel alias Pastor, of Buwatte in Wakiso district is detained
over crimes that have occurred in Mityana district since 2022, police said.

"During interrogation, the suspect a boda boda operator confessed to luring and murdering the victims," the region's police spokesperson, Racheal Kawala, said in a statement.

She said the police are investigating the suspect's involvement in at least three murders that have occurred in the district.

She listed the incidents as the murder on December 7, 2022, of a businessman named Charles Serugo, who was killed by unknown people.

"It is alleged the deceased was attacked as he sat in his compound in Kabukira village, Kalangalo sub-county in Mityana district at about 8:00 pm. He was cut with sharp pangas on the head, killing him on the spot, " Kawala said.

She noted that the second incident was the murder of Rosemary Mugabirwe killed on September 9, 2023.

The 35-year-old resided in Kanyogoga zone, Bukasa Parish Makindye division in Kampala district.

"It is alleged the body of the deceased was discovered at the farm of Nzisimuheire Chris in Wabiyinja B village. The victim had been raped and with multiple injuries on her body with the telephone number of her sister Kyosire Grace written in her left palm," said Kawalla

She said preliminary investigations have revealed that the suspect allegedly lured the victim from Kabalagala-Kanyogoga and murdered her in Kikandwa, Mityana District.

The third victim is Ndyayambaje Didas, 32, who is a boda boda rider.

He was found dead in Kamira Ntumbwe swamp, Kalangalo sub-county, Mityana District.

She said their findings further indicate that the suspect lured this victim from Bukoto, murdered him in Mityana, and stole his motorcycle.

Kawalla explained that the suspect was arrested on August 6, 2024, at his residence in Buwate, Wakiso District, and is currently being held at Mityana Police Station for further interrogation.

Murder is a capital offence in Uganda and carries a maximum sentence of death as provided for under section 189 of the Penal Code Act.

In cases of deliberate, pre-meditated killing of a victim, courts are inclined to impose the death sentence, especially where the offence involved the use of deadly weapons, used in a manner reflective of the wickedness of disposition, hardness of heart, cruelty, recklessness of consequences, and a mind that has no regard for the sanctity of life.