Police hunt lover after woman found dead at church

Patricia, according to preliminary police information, is believed to have been killed elsewhere before her body was moved to the church grounds.

Kabale, Uganda: Police in southwestern Uganda are investigating a suspected murder after the body of a woman identified only as Patricia was discovered dumped in the compound of Nyakijumba Roman Catholic Church on Sunday.

Patricia, a resident of Nyabushabi Cell in Kyanamira Sub-county, is believed to have been killed elsewhere before her body was moved to the church grounds.

Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson Elly Maate said investigators processed the scene and deployed a sniffer dog, which led officers to the home of the deceased’s lover located near the church.

Police say evidence suggests the body was dragged from the suspect’s house to the church compound. Inside the home, officers recovered pieces of a mattress and a blanket soaked with bodily fluids. These samples have been submitted for forensic analysis.

Maate noted that preliminary findings indicate the body may have remained inside the suspect’s house for about three days before being dumped at the church, making it the likely primary crime scene.

The body was transported to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital for a postmortem examination.

The suspect remains on the run, with police intensifying their search. “Inquiries are still at hand,” Maate said.

The incident has revived concerns over escalating violent crime in the Kigezi sub-region. Religious and community leaders have repeatedly urged coordinated action to address murders linked to alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic conflicts, land wrangles, and slow court processes that sometimes trigger mob justice.

Police records show Kigezi registered 18 murders in April, 10 in March, and nine in February, marking a worrying trend.

Maate appealed to the public to avoid mob justice and instead work with authorities to resolve disputes lawfully.