Police in Mayuge District have opened investigations into the suspected murder of a six-year-old boy whose body was found dumped in an abandoned building in Budhebela Village, Mayuge Town Council.
The child had reportedly been sent to deliver a mobile phone to a nearby home for charging. He failed to return, prompting relatives and residents to mount a search on Sunday morning.
According to the boy’s mother, Sarah Naigaga, she became worried after her son took longer than expected to come back home.
The child’s aunt, Lovisha Namuganza, said the family first thought the boy had been delayed. However, after several hours passed without any communication, relatives went to the home where he had been sent.
They were told that the child had delivered the phone and left shortly afterwards.
Search ends in tragedy
Relatives and neighbours began searching for the boy from around 9am. They combed the surrounding area, hoping to find him alive.
The search ended in tragedy when one of the deceased’s friends entered a nearby abandoned building and found a body wrapped in a plastic bag.
The friend alerted the child’s father, Alex Kayima, who rushed to the scene and confirmed that the body was his son’s.
“We moved around the village and beyond searching for him together with his friend. After a long search, his friend saw him in the room,” Namuganza said.
Faruku Musobya, the head of the household where the boy had delivered the phone, confirmed that the child had reached the home and completed the errand.
“The boy brought the phone and left immediately. During the search, one of the neighbours told us they had heard a scream, but they thought the children were simply playing,” Musobya said.
Residents raise concern over abandoned buildings
The killing has left Budhebela Village residents shocked and angry.
Several residents blamed abandoned structures in the area, saying they provide possible hideouts for criminals and expose children to danger.
Community members called on property owners to secure or rehabilitate such buildings to reduce security risks.
Budhebela Village LC1 Chairperson Sulsoman Waiswa Kabangala urged parents and guardians to remain alert and closely monitor children, especially in areas with unoccupied or poorly monitored structures.
Police recovered the body and took it to Mayuge Health Centre IV mortuary for a postmortem examination.
Authorities had not identified or arrested any suspects by the time of the report. Investigations into the suspected murder are continuing.
