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Police probe suspected murder of 24-year-old IUIU student
Police said they found the door to Watyakala's room open, and his body was lying on the bed and emitting a foul smell.
Police probe suspected murder of 24-year-old IUIU student
By: Simon Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
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Police in Mbale City are investigating the suspected murder by poisoning of a 24-year-old first-year student of Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Mbale campus, whose body was found in his rented room in Kiduda Cell, Namatela Ward, Industrial Division.
The deceased, identified as Dan Watyakala, was found dead on his bed on September 19, 2026. Police suspect Watyakala could have been killed by poisoning.
According to police, information about his death was received at about 10:10am from Peter Namisi, 39, a businessman and resident of Musoto Cell in Mbale City.
Namisi reportedly received information that his brother had been found dead in his rented room in Kiduda Cell and rushed to the scene.
Police said they found the door to Watyakala's room open and his body was lying on the bed and emitting a foul smell.
Namisi reportedly tried to establish from neighbours what had happened, but they said they had no information about the circumstances surrounding the student's death.
Namisi subsequently reported the matter to police, prompting investigations. The case was registered at police under DEF 08/2026, after which a homicide team led by the Divisional Criminal Investigations Officer visited the scene.
Police crime scene officers examined and documented the room and recovered exhibits for further investigation.
Among the exhibits recovered was a small container containing tablets, with the word “poison” reportedly written on it.
However, police have not established whether the tablets caused Watyakala's death.
Namisi reportedly tried to establish from neighbours what had happened, but they said they had no information about the circumstances surrounding the student's death.
Namisi subsequently reported the matter to police, prompting investigations. The case was registered at police under DEF 08/2026, after which a homicide team led by the Divisional Criminal Investigations Officer visited the scene.
Police crime scene officers examined and documented the room and recovered exhibits for further investigation.
Among the exhibits recovered was a small container containing tablets, with the word “poison” reportedly written on it.
However, police have not established whether the tablets caused Watyakala's death.
Investigators are awaiting a post-mortem examination report to establish the exact cause of death. Samples taken from the deceased are also pending submission to the Government Analytical Laboratory for analysis.
Police said no suspect had been identified or arrested in connection with the death by the time of reporting, and investigations are still ongoing.
Murder statistics
According to the 2025 annual crime report released last week, police recorded 4,238 homicide cases in 2025, a slight decrease from 4,329 cases reported in 2024.
The victims included 3,397 adult males, 550 adult females, 173 male juveniles, and 148 female juveniles. Of these, 338 victims were killed through hacking, compared to 310 in 2024.
An analysis of data indicates that the motives behind these killings largely stemmed from land disputes, domestic violence, acts of mob justice, family misunderstandings, crimes of passion and business rivalries.
Police said no suspect had been identified or arrested in connection with the death by the time of reporting, and investigations are still ongoing.
Murder statistics
According to the 2025 annual crime report released last week, police recorded 4,238 homicide cases in 2025, a slight decrease from 4,329 cases reported in 2024.
The victims included 3,397 adult males, 550 adult females, 173 male juveniles, and 148 female juveniles. Of these, 338 victims were killed through hacking, compared to 310 in 2024.
An analysis of data indicates that the motives behind these killings largely stemmed from land disputes, domestic violence, acts of mob justice, family misunderstandings, crimes of passion and business rivalries.