Residents of Mityana Central Cell in Mityana Municipality were left shocked after a 48-year-old woman was discovered dead inside her house days after she was last seen alive.
The deceased, identified as Ruth Nakayiza, a peasant and longtime resident of the area, was reportedly last seen on June 14, 2026 attending to her small business before closing for the day and returning home.
Concern began to grow among neighbours when Nakayiza failed to reappear in the following days.
By the morning of June 17, residents became alarmed after a strong foul smell began emanating from her house, accompanied by swarms of flies around the locked premises.
Neighbours alerted her relatives, who were informed of both her unexplained absence and fears that something tragic may have happened.
The matter was subsequently reported to Namukozi Police by the LC1 chairperson of Mityana Central Cell.
A team of detectives from the Criminal Investigations Directorate’s Homicide Department in Mityana, led by the District Police Commander, responded to the scene.
Lameck Kigozi, the area police spokesperson noted that with the assistance of local residents, officers forced entry into the house, where they discovered Nakayiza’s decomposing body lying in a half-prone position.
Preliminary police findings indicate that Nakayiza died from carbon monoxide suffocation.
Investigators established that she had been using a charcoal stove inside her room, which was described as small and poorly ventilated, creating conditions that proved fatal.
The incident has prompted renewed warnings from police over the dangers of using charcoal stoves inside enclosed living spaces, particularly at night. Authorities have urged members of the public to avoid cooking or leaving charcoal stoves burning inside their homes due to the risk of suffocation and other potentially deadly consequences.
Wamala Regional Police spokesperson Kigozi said the unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the hidden dangers associated with indoor charcoal use and called on residents to prioritize proper ventilation and safe cooking practices.
