Police have arrested the prime suspect in the murder of Jovia Namuwulya, a waitress at Olives Restaurant and Bar in Bukoto, who was allegedly stabbed and her body wrapped in bedsheets.
Namuwulya, also known as Jovia 1235 on TikTok, was found dead at her rented room in Mukalazi Zone, Bukoto I Parish, Nakawa Division, Kampala, on August 20, 2026.
The prime suspect, Patricia Rose Turindwamukama, was arrested on August 24 at a friend’s house in Mbuya, Nakawa Division, where police say she was allegedly planning to flee the country for Iraq.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SP Racheal Kawala confirmed the arrest, saying Turindwamukama had applied for an Iraqi visa on August 21, a day after Namuwulya’s death.
“Following the murder by stabbing of Jovia Namuwulya, which occurred on 20 August 2026 in Mukalazi Zone, Bukoto I Parish, Nakawa Division, Kampala District, the suspect, Patricia Rose Turindwamukama, was on 24 August 2026 arrested in connection with the murder,” Kawala said.
She added that the suspect was arrested at her friend’s house in Mbuya and remains in police custody.
“At the time of her arrest, the suspect was reportedly planning to flee the country to Iraq. Preliminary investigations indicate that she had applied for an Iraqi visa on 21 August 2026, one day after the incident,” Kawala said.
Police also recovered documents related to the visa application, which are being examined as investigations continue.
Namuwulya’s death came to light after her workmates became concerned when she failed to respond to their calls. They reportedly went to her residence, where they found her lifeless body wrapped in bedsheets and covered in blood.
Preliminary information indicates that Namuwulya may have been stabbed before her body was wrapped in the bedsheets.
Sources close to the two women said Turindwamukama had moved in with Namuwulya a few weeks before the incident after allegedly asking her friend to accommodate her because she had nowhere to stay.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged killing, including the motive and events leading to Namuwulya’s death, remain under investigation.
Police said relevant documents and other evidence recovered from the suspect are being examined as investigators work to establish what happened.
