Police in Kiboga District are investigating the killing of a four-year-old girl who was abducted and murdered on Christmas Day, in an incident authorities say may be linked to her mother’s rejection of a romantic advance.
The child, identified as Janat Namuwayo, was the daughter of Ruth Nakanjako, a casual labourer from Kindeke Village in Kayera Sub-county.
According to police, the suspect—identified only as John, a fellow casual labourer—allegedly attacked another worker before abducting the child and fleeing the scene.
The incident occurred at about 3:30pm on a farm where several labourers live in temporary shelters. Police say the suspect suddenly turned violent, attacking John Nsubuga with a panga and damaging the entrance to his makeshift house, forcing him to flee with injuries.
In the ensuing panic, both Nsubuga and the child’s mother ran to safety, leaving the child behind. Police say the suspect then abducted the girl and carried her into a nearby maize plantation.
The child’s body was recovered the following morning. Wamala Region Police Spokesperson SSP Lameck Kigozi said officers conveyed the body to Kiboga Hospital for a postmortem examination.
“Yesterday mid-morning, our officers recovered the child’s body and took it to Kiboga Hospital for postmortem,” SSP Kigozi said.
He added that preliminary findings suggest the suspect may have been under the influence of marijuana at the time of the attack.
Police further revealed that the suspect had previously expressed romantic interest in the child’s mother, which she rejected. Investigators believe this rejection may have contributed to the suspect’s actions.
“Our findings indicate that the suspect attempted to pursue a relationship with the child’s mother, but she declined. When both she and another worker escaped during the attack, the suspect turned his anger on the child,” SSP Kigozi said.
Police have launched a manhunt and warned that the suspect remains at large and dangerous.
“We urge anyone with information about his whereabouts to report immediately to the nearest police station,” SSP Kigozi said.
