Butaleja teen waylaid, killed after attending wedding party

Police in Butaleja District, Eastern Uganda have arrested one suspect following the murder by assault of a 16-year-old boy after attending a wedding party.

Bukedi South Regional Police spokesperson, IP Moses Mugwe, said Ahamada Jarita, a resident of Damba Cell, Namawa Parish, Kachonga Sub-county in Butaleja District, was attacked on Saturday at around 11pm in Namaste Village, Namawa Parish, Kachonga Sub-county.

Other suspects are said to be on the run.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Jarita and his brother were returning from a marriage ceremony held in Namafafa Village when they encountered a group of youths.

"A misunderstanding allegedly broke out, leading to a violent assault on the deceased. After the attack, the victim’s brother reportedly contacted relatives who rushed him to Nabiganda Health Centre IV for treatment. However, Ahamada succumbed to the injuries on the morning of May 10, 2026,"Mr Mugwe said.

Police said statements were recorded from relevant witnesses, while the body was conveyed to Mbale City Mortuary for a postmortem.

He cautioned the public against engaging in violent acts that violate the right to life and other fundamental rights.

The Annual Crime Police report of 2025, indicate that a total of 4,238 homicide cases were reported representing 2.2 percent of the total reported crimes during the year, compared to 4,329 cases reported in 2024. A total of 4,268 persons were victims of homicide, comprising of 3,397 male adults, 550 female adults, 173 male juveniles, and 148 female juveniles.

The police analysis indicates that the motives behind these killings largely stem from land disputes, domestic violence, acts of mob justice, family misunderstandings, crimes of passion and business rivalries.

The report further shows that over the last four years, murder through assault accounted for the highest number of homicide cases with 1,085 in 2022, 1,127 in 2023, 1,339 in 2024, and 1,326 in 2025 followed by murder by mob action with 953 in 2022, 1,052 in 2023, 1,339 in 2024, and 1,326 in 2025.