Nine South Sudanese nationals have been arrested by the Uganda Police in the Nabweru area of Kampala over the suspected murder of their househelp, the Uganda Radio Network reported on Sunday.
The unidentified maid is believed to have been murdered inside a residence in Nabweru South Cell One, Nansana Municipality, Wakiso district on Friday night. Her body remains missing, and police suspect it may have been secretly removed from the home.
According to Davis Ssekatawa, the area defence secretary, the alarm was raised by a village clinical officer who had been called by the occupants of the house to treat the maid. Upon examination, the officer reportedly found the girl with severe head injuries and confirmed she was already dead.
Ssekatawa said that when he and the area chairperson arrived at the home, the occupants refused to open the door despite their repeated identification.
“The police were also denied access to the house, so we spent the night guarding it,” Ssekatawa said. “This morning, we forced entry and searched the premises with the police, but the body was nowhere to be found. However, bloodstains were visible in the compound, suggesting that someone died there.”
Justus Nuwagaba, a neighbour and husband to the nurse who was called to administer first aid, said they had minimal interaction with the occupants.
“We only ever see different cars coming and going,” Nuwagaba said. “Yesterday evening, a woman from the house came to our clinic requesting my wife’s help for a maid who had allegedly cut herself. When my wife arrived, she found the girl with a deep head wound and already dead.”
He added that his wife told him the occupants panicked and attempted to offer her money to keep quiet, which she refused. Local councillor Easter Najuma said some occupants were seen leaving the home before police arrived, carrying large briefcases and polythene bags.
Residents believe the items may have been used to remove the body. Residents are now calling for a thorough investigation to locate the maid’s remains, identify her, and ensure that all suspects are held accountable.
Investigations so far have led to the arrest of nine South Sudanese nationals found inside the residence. They are currently detained at Nabweru police station as the search for the missing body continues. Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachel Kawala said she had not yet been briefed on the case by press time but would provide details once updated.