Wedding desperation turns fatal as pedicurist murders neighbor’s child for Shs10m

The child's body was conveyed to the Mulago City Mortuary for a post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death as investigations continue.

Police in Kampala Metropolitan area are holding two suspects, including a groom-to-be, following the brutal kidnap and murder of a two-year-old girl whose body was dumped in a maize plantation in Kyetume, Gayaza, Wakiso District, after a failed Shs10 million ransom demand.

The victim, identified as Kyomuhando Dartiva Rosaries, was reported missing on October 27, 2026, by her mother, Ms Lillian Atukwatse, after she disappeared while playing with other children in the neighborhood. The missing person case quickly escalated into a homicide investigation on the morning of October 28, 2026, when a handwritten ransom note demanding Shs10 million was discovered at the family’s residence gate.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson ASP Luke Owoyesigyire identified the principal suspect as Joshua Muhumuza, a pedicurist residing next to the victim's family home, separated only by a perimeter wall. Police revealed that Muhumuza was well-known to both the toddler and her mother, having previously rendered beauty services to the family.

Detectives noted that Muhumuza went missing from his rental apartment immediately after the ransom note was discovered. Neighbours later informed police that the suspect was frantically raising funds for his upcoming wedding, scheduled for December 26, 2026, at Munyonyo Beach in Kampala District.

Following intelligence-led operations, police tracked and arrested Muhumuza. During interrogation, he confessed to the crime and led homicide investigators to a maize plantation in Kyetume, Gayaza, where the toddler's body was recovered. He further named Florence Amusuguti as his accomplice, leading to her immediate arrest.

"The suspect led detectives to a maize plantation in Kyetume, Gayaza, where the child's body was recovered. He identified his alleged accomplice as Florence Amusuguti, who has since been arrested," ASP Owoyesigyire said.

Detectives also recovered a mobile phone from Muhumuza, which is currently undergoing forensic examination to establish its connection to the ransom demands and communication logs.

"A mobile phone was recovered from the suspect, and investigations are underway to establish the ransom demands. Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be processed in accordance with the law," Owoyesigyire added.

The toddler's body was conveyed to Mulago City Mortuary for a post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death as full inquiries continue.

This incident highlights a persistent trend in fatal violent crimes across the country. According to the Police Annual Crime Report 2025, a total of 4,238 homicide cases were reported nationwide in 2025, compared to 4,329 cases in 2024.

Police statistics indicate that 4,268 people lost their lives to homicides last year, including 3,397 male adults, 550 female adults, 173 male juveniles, and 148 female juveniles, with victims dying through assault, poisoning, arson, shootings, domestic violence, and mob action.