University of St Joseph's Mbarara student found dead in rented room

The community of the University of St Joseph’s Mbarara is in shock following the suspected killing of a first-year student at her rented home in Katete suburb, Nyamitanga Division, Mbarara City.

The deceased, identified as Jackline Tumwebaze, was pursuing a Bachelor of Accounting and Finance on the university’s weekend programme.

In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday morning, the university confirmed her death, saying: “We regret to announce the demise of our dear student Tumwebaze Jackline.”

“She was killed by unknown people and locked inside her room in Katete. She had a side business and was working in Mbarara City,” the statement read.

The university added that Tumwebaze, who was born January 28, 1998, hailed from Kininga-Mushana Parish in Buhunga Sub-county, Buhweju District. Mr Eugene Nuwamnanya, Assistant Resource Mobiliser at the university, confirmed the incident.

“She was found dead in her room in Katete. We are working with relatives and police to establish the circumstances behind her death,” he told Monitor.

A brother to the deceased, Justus Tukamushaba, said the family last spoke to her on Monday, March 2, 2026. By Tuesday, her phones were switched off. “My father talked to her on Monday at around 9:00 am. We had some programme with her, but when we called on Tuesday, her phones were off. When we became unsuccessful after several phone calls, I was told to go and check on her. When I reached, I found her place locked. I looked for a key and opened it, only to be welcomed by a foul smell. She was dead,” he explained.

Tukamushaba alerted police, who transported the body to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for a postmortem examination.

According to the family, most of her property was found intact except for her mobile phones. Tumwebaze reportedly attended classes on weekends while running a side business during the week.

The Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson, Samson Kasasira, said he had not yet received full details regarding the incident. “I do not have information yet concerning this murder. I will furnish you with the details later,” he said.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding her death are ongoing.