Mityana police hunt man accused of strangling his estranged wife

Police in Mityana District are searching for a 35-year-old man accused of strangling his estranged wife after she allegedly refused to return to their home.

The deceased, Sherina Namatovu 23, was a resident of Nakitolo Cell, Ttanda Ward, in Ttamu Division, Mityana Municipality.

According to Wamala Regional Police spokesperson SP Lameck Kigozi, the suspect, Dube Nsubuga, of Kasozo Village in Zigoti Town Council, had separated from Namatovu following persistent domestic misunderstandings.

“The suspect had on several occasions attempted to convince the deceased to return to his home, but she reportedly refused,” Kigozi said.

The couple, who had one child together, attended an introduction ceremony in Sherina’s village on the night of May 23. Witnesses told police that Dube spent hours pleading with her to reconcile and had previously threatened to harm her if she refused.

“At around 12:35am on May 24, the two were seen leaving the party venue together,” Kigozi added.

Police allege that on their way from the ceremony, an argument broke out after Sherina refused to go to Dube’s home. The disagreement turned violent, and she was allegedly strangled to death.

Her body was later found in a cassava garden near a railway line.

“The body had abrasions around the neck, and the tongue was protruding. The scene also showed visible signs of a struggle,” Kigozi said.

Detectives recovered Sherina’s undergarment about five metres from the body, which was found half-naked and dressed only in leggings. The body was taken to Mityana Hospital for a postmortem.

Police said Dube fled after the incident and efforts to arrest him are ongoing.

The killing is the latest in a string of murder cases linked to domestic violence in the Wamala Region. On May 18, police in Mubende District arrested 32-year-old Ambrose Turyasingura for allegedly killing his wife, Annet Turyahebwa, with a panga after she reportedly declined his demand for intimacy.

The 2025 Annual Crime Police Report shows domestic violence murders rose to 208 cases, up from 183 in 2024, a 13.7% increase.

The report also recorded 208 victims of aggravated domestic violence, including 89 adult males, 92 adult females, 14 male juveniles, and 13 female juveniles. Mubende, Kyenjo, and Oyam districts registered the highest number, with 10 cases each.