Authorities in the hamlet of Luwero are searching for a man who, following a dispute with his wife, is suspected of raping and killing his stepdaughter.
The 16-year-old senior two student at Midland High School, Shirat Nakijjwe, is alleged to have been raped and killed by the suspect, Christopher Ssesanga.
The deceased had been residing in Kizito Zone of Luwero Town Council with her mother, Margaret Nankya.
According to Ruth Nankumba, the Vice Chairperson of Kizito Zone, Ssesanga’s relationship with Margaret Nankya ended due to a misunderstanding.
On Friday evening, nevertheless, he attacked the stepdaughter by taking advantage of her absence.
In a note he left behind, he threatened to kill Nankya.
According to Nankumba, the mother found out about the death after she got home from an overnight vigil.
According to Yusuf Kalemera, a neighbour, the body was discovered partially nude on the bed next to a note that the murderer had left behind.
After breaking her relationship with Ssesanga, Nankya received multiple death threats, but she never gave them much thought.
The body was moved by a team from Luwero Central Police Station to the mortuary at Mulago Referral Hospital so that a postmortem could be performed.
According to Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson Sam Twineamazima, the mother of the deceased has provided a statement to the police, and they have begun their search for the perpetrator.
Vice-Chairman Nathan Lumu of the Luwero Town Council denounced the rising number of domestic abuse incidents that have resulted in the death of an innocent girl.
The Luwero area reported 501 domestic abuse cases in 2022, compared to 340 cases reported in 2021, per the 2022 police crime report.
Luwero was consequently listed as the second district, behind Kiryandongo, which had 520 domestic abuse instances in 2022.