Somali woman’s mysterious death in Malaba under probe

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Security agencies have launched investigations to determine the circumstances under which a 29-year-old Somali national was found dead in Tororo district.

According to Bukedi South regional police spokesperson, Moses Mugwe, the deceased, Hodhen Abdi, was discovered on June 4, 2025, at around 6:00pm, at Hope for Life Drug Shop in Amoni B cell, Malaba town council, where she had been rushed for treatment.

Preliminary investigations reveal that Abdi had checked into Safari Guest House in Malaba on Thursday, June 3, at around 8:00pm.

The following day, at about 11:00am, she was found unconscious in her room by one of the cleaners.

The guest house management quickly transported her to the nearby clinic, where she was pronounced dead hours later.

“We have registered a sudden death case file vide SD: 46/04/07/25 and DEF: 03/2025 respectively at Malaba Police as we continue with our inquiries,” Mugwe said.

It has since emerged that the deceased was self-employed and a resident of Garisa in neighbouring Kenya. However, authorities remain uncertain about the exact reason for her visit to Uganda.

Some locals claimed that it was not Abdi’s first time in Uganda, suggesting that she may have had relatives in the area. One resident was overheard asking, “If she had relatives in the area, then why did she decide to sleep in a guest house instead of going to their place?”

Scene of crime officers and other detectives who examined the guest house and clinic confirmed that Abdi’s body had no visible injuries.

Her remains were later transferred to Tororo General Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem examination.

Medics who attended to her hinted at diabetes as a possible cause of death, pending further investigation.

Teenager fatally stabbed at disco in Busia

In a separate incident, security in Busia district is investigating the suspected murder of a 19-year-old man who was fatally stabbed in the neck during a disco.

According to local police, the deceased, Polly Bwire, a resident of Jegobero cell in Namungodi town council, was stabbed during a music event held at Namungodi Primary School playground on June 3 2025.

The disco was organised to mark the visit of ministers John Mulimba and Balaam Barugahara, who were in the area to monitor government programmes in Bulumba subcounty.

Bwire was rushed to Busia Health Centre IV but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. In connection with the incident, police arrested two suspects: Patricia Ajambo, 18, of Namungodi town council, and Latif Abedi, 24, of Namaubi A Village, Dabani subcounty.

The stabbing reportedly occurred after a brawl broke out among revellers at about 1:00am, allegedly sparked when Bwire confronted someone he found dancing with his unidentified girlfriend.

Police revealed that several individuals sustained serious injuries during the fracas. One of those involved was identified as Collins Ojambo, 16, a senior student at Namungodi Seed Secondary School.

“Inquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the fight and apprehend any remaining suspects,” police said.

Police report

According to the 2024 Police Annual Crime Report, a total of 4,329 homicide cases were recorded, representing 1.9% of all reported crimes that year. This marked an increase from 4,248 cases in 2023.

Of these, 3,494 were male adults, 594 were female adults, 209 were male juveniles, and 114 were female juveniles. Bukedi South region alone accounted for 4,916 reported cases.