Wakiso, Uganda: Security agencies have arrested a 41-year-old man accused of beating an 18-year-old student to death after allegedly finding him with his teenage daughter on Valentine’s Day in Wakiso District.
The suspect, identified as Hebert Lumu, was apprehended in Gulu District following a manhunt, according to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala.
“Security agencies have successfully arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of Bukenya Martin (18), which occurred on 14/02/2026 at around 8:00 PM in Mabanda Cell, Gombe Division, Wakiso District. The suspect was apprehended in Gulu District and has been identified as Musasizi Herbert, aged 41,” SP Kawala said in a police statement on Friday evening.
The deceased, a student of Hillside Secondary School, Matugga and a resident of Kirinyabigo, Kawanda, Nabweru Division, Wakiso District, was allegedly beaten to death by the suspect after being found in the suspect’s house with his 14-year-old daughter.
The incident, according to police reports, occurred on February 14, 2026, at around 8:00 PM in Mabanda Cell, Gombe Division, Nansana Municipality.
According to preliminary police findings, Bukenya had reportedly taken a Valentine’s flower to Christine, the suspect’s 14-year-old daughter, who is said to attend the same school and is in Senior Two.
Neighbours said Lumu allegedly found the boy inside his home and locked himself in with him before unleashing a violent assault.
“He started punching, kicking and caning him mercilessly. The beating seemed intentional. There were many other ways to handle the situation,” one resident said.
Witnesses reported that the assault lasted for more than an hour, with claims that stones were also used.
Residents attempted to intervene by breaking doors and windows to stop the attack but were unsuccessful. Betty Nansubuga, a local resident, said Bukenya was pronounced dead on the way to a nearby clinic.
By the time police arrived at the scene, the suspect and his family had fled. “When we returned the body home, we found the father and his family had escaped. Police from Matugga later cordoned off the area,” Nansubuga said.
But in a Friday statement by police, SP Kawala confirmed that the suspect had initially evaded arrest but was later tracked down in Gulu District. “He is currently in custody as investigations continue,” she said.
Bukenya’s killing comes amid growing concern over rising cases of assault-related murders in Uganda. Police statistics show that 1,339 cases of murder by assault were reported in 2024, compared to 1,142 cases in 2023 — a 17 per cent increase.
According to the report, 1,340 persons were assaulted to death in 2024, including 1,091 male adults, 156 female adults, 69 male juveniles and 24 female juveniles.
Security agencies have urged the public to avoid taking the law into their own hands and to report disputes to authorities instead of resorting to violence.
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