A small community in Kiboga District is in mourning after a four-year-old girl, Namuwayo Janat, was kidnapped and killed on Christmas Day.
She was the daughter of Nakanjako Ruth, a casual labourer from Kindeke Village in Kayera Sub-county.
The tragedy unfolded around 3:30pm at a farm where several casual labourers were staying in temporary shelters for the holiday.
Police say the suspect, a farm worker identified only as John, suddenly became violent.
He attacked another worker, Nsubuga John, with a panga and cut through the entrance of his makeshift home, forcing him to flee with injuries.
In the chaos, Namuwayo’s mother and Nsubuga ran for safety, leaving the little girl behind. The suspect then grabbed the child and carried her into a nearby maize plantation.
Her lifeless body was discovered the following morning. Wamala Region Police Spokesperson SSP Lameck Kigozi confirmed that officers recovered the body and took it to Kiboga Hospital for a postmortem examination.
“Yesterday mid-morning, our officers recovered the child’s body and conveyed it to Kiboga Hospital for postmortem,” SSP Kigozi said.
Police investigations suggest that the suspect’s actions may have been fueled by personal motives. He had reportedly made romantic advances towards the child’s mother, which she rejected.
“Our findings suggest that the suspect attempted to pursue a relationship with the child’s mother, but she declined. When both she and Nsubuga escaped during the attack, the suspect turned his rage on the child,” SSP Kigozi said.
Residents described the suspect as a habitual drug user who fled immediately after the attack. Authorities have launched a manhunt and warned the public to remain vigilant.
“This individual is still at large and poses a serious threat to the public. We urge anyone who knows his whereabouts to report to the nearest police station immediately,” SSP Kigozi said.
As security agencies intensify the search, the community grapples with the shock and sorrow of losing a young life in such tragic circumstances.
