For weeks, the murder of Kampala International University student Patricia Kairu appeared to offer investigators few answers. Her body was found dumped in Kiyanja Cell, Nabbingo Ward, Kyengera Town Council, on 4 August, leaving police to piece together what happened from a trail that would eventually lead them to a second-hand mobile phone market in central Kampala.
More than a month later, that trail has produced several arrests and the recovery of the phone believed to have belonged to the student.
Police say the investigation has widened from Kyengera to KK Plaza Basement along Namirembe Road, where officers recovered 360 second-hand mobile phones from 15 shops during an operation on 8 September. Thirty-seven people were arrested during the operation as detectives sought to establish how Patricia’s phone ended up at the market.
“The investigation is progressing and we are continuing to establish the individual roles of the suspects and their possible connection to the murder,” Luke Owoyesigyire, deputy public relations officer for Kampala Metropolitan Police, said.
The investigation had already led to the arrest of Abdul Swabur Mawanda on 3 September in Kiyanja.
Police said inquiries had established that he had arranged to meet Patricia in Kyengera on the day of the incident. He remains in custody.
A day later, officers recovered Patricia’s mobile phone and arrested Philian Matata, a security guard at Seroma Hardware, and his wife, Robinah Ayikoru. Police said the phone was found in their possession and that preliminary inquiries indicated it had been bought from a shop at KK Plaza Basement.
That discovery prompted the operation at the phone market, where five people were identified as being connected to the shop from which the phone was allegedly purchased. They were named by police as Baker Maiso, Brian Kayongo, Morris Mugerwa, Christine Nagawa and Brian Balyejusa.
All the suspects remain in custody while investigators establish what role, if any, each may have played in Patricia’s death. Police say they will be taken to court once investigations are complete.
In a separate case, police have also arrested three people over a housebreaking and theft reported in Nsumbi Zone, Kyebando Parish, Wakiso District.
The burglary was reported on 8 September after clothing, shoes and a 43-inch Global Star television, valued at about UGX 760,000, were allegedly stolen from a residence.
A police canine was deployed during the investigation, leading officers to three suspects identified as Rayan Lubega, Musa Ssembusi and Faizo Katamba.
Police said a subsequent search recovered a pair of desert police shoes, a cape resembling UPDF attire and a bag. The items have been secured for identification and further examination.
One of the suspects, police said, had recently been released from prison after serving a sentence in connection with a robbery case.
Both investigations remain active, with police saying the suspects will be produced before court after inquiries are completed.
