Police in Kampala have arrested a Ugandan diplomat’s wife over suspicion of foul play in the death of her own two-year child.
Jolin Dusabe Mutesi, a mother of five and wife to Chris Rugari was arrested over the mysterious death of Nganwa Rugari, 2.
Chris Rugari is Uganda’s honorary consul in Zimbabwe.
According to Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, the two year old was a resident of Mutungo Zone 8 in Nakawa Division, Kampala but died under unclear circumstances.
“Preliminary findings indicate that on the evening of April 1, 2025, the child allegedly fell from the first floor of a building,” Owoyesigyire said.
Investigations also indicate that Ms. Mutesi reportedly rushed him to Kitintale Hospital, where he was examined and discharged with a recommendation for a CT scan.
Police said the child was brought back to the hospital around 5 a.m. the next day “in critical condition and was pronounced dead upon examination.”
Police opened a death inquiry and transported the child’s body to Mulago City Mortuary for a postmortem.
“Initial observations revealed no visible physical injuries on the body,” Owoyesigyire said.
A separate statement released later on Sunday, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango said the mother was arrested after several key findings, among them “the window from which the child allegedly fell from, was found permanently closed.”
“When the police forensic team examined the child’s body at the hospital, they found no signs of trauma—no swelling, bleeding, injuries, or even a scratch,” a family member said of the developments.
Mutesi has since been detained at Jinja Road Police Station as investigations continue.
Divorce, paternity disputes
While the cause of death is yet to be determined, there is a background pointing to divorce and paternity disputes between the diplomat and his wife who is currently under police custody.
Source say the case involves a contentious divorce proceeding before the Family Division of the High Court in Kampala and questions surrounding the child’s paternity.
It is reported that DNA testing previously conducted on the three older children, aged 14, 12, and 10, revealed that two were not Mr. Rugari’s biological offsprings.
It is also reported that on the day of the death of the two-year old Nganwa Rugari, he and his 12-month-old sister, who also resides with the mother, were scheduled for DNA testing as part of the ongoing divorce procedures.
Detectives are now investigating whether the child was killed to cover up or delay the paternity tests.
A source said that when the child was confirmed dead, Mutesi immediately began calling relatives and friends, asking them to rush to the hospital and take the body to a funeral home.
“She was preoccupied with burial arrangements minutes after the child was pronounced dead and wanted the body moved from the hospital immediately,” the source added.
However, when Rugari’s relatives arrived, they rejected her plan to remove the body before police could examine it, which is standard procedure for accidental deaths.
DNA fracas
The diplomat is currently seeking a divorce from his wife, Mutesi, on grounds of infidelity.
According to a source close to the family, DNA tests conducted in 2023 on the couple’s first three children revealed that two were not biologically his.
Following these results, court ordered DNA testing for all five children in the family—including the two-year-old, who had not been previously tested.
The test was reportedly scheduled to take place on the afternoon of April 2, the same day the child was pronounced dead.
