75-year old woman arrested over murder of granddaughter

A 75-year-old woman, Cotilda Namuddu, has been arrested in connection with the shocking death of her 15-year-old granddaughter, Immaculate Nanziri, who was brutally murdered on Tuesday.

The arrest comes amid growing suspicions that the elderly woman may have been aware of or involved in the tragic incident that has rocked Kawoko-Kiwenjula village in Bukomansimbi District.

Southern Regional Police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye confirmed that Namuddu is currently assisting investigators as they seek to unravel the circumstances surrounding Nanziri’s death.

Kasirye noted that there are strong indications that Namuddu might have overheard or witnessed part of the crime, as evidence against her continues to build.

Initial reports suggest that Nanziri was stabbed to death by unknown assailants while she was in the bathroom.

However, Namuddu's initial account, claiming that her granddaughter was attacked by assailants while bathing, immediately raised suspicions among both the authorities and local residents.

“The grandmother said the girl was killed while bathing, but there was no blood found in the bathroom,” explained Bukenya Bakaluba, secretary of the Kiwenjula village council.

“Even the ground where her body was found did not have any blood. We expected a pool of blood, but there was nothing.”

Witnesses at the scene, including Bashir Kiberu, echoed these concerns, noting that when police arrived with a sniffer dog, they found no traces of blood in the bathroom or on the walls.

Instead, bloody clothes and curtains were later discovered inside the house, further raising suspicions that the crime scene may have been tampered with before authorities arrived.

The brutal killing has left the village in shock, with fears that Nanziri may have been the victim of a ritualistic killing.

Lawrence Kyagaba, a youth councillor from Butenga Subcounty, recounted past behaviors by Namuddu that have alarmed the community, including a previous incident in which she allegedly kept her husband's body in the house for two days without notifying anyone.

“That elderly woman lost her husband, but she spent two days with the body in the house,” Kyagaba recalled.

“People had to use hot water to straighten the corpse. This behavior has raised even more concerns about her involvement in this latest tragedy.”

Hadijah Nabyoga, the mother of the deceased, expressed her devastation, stating that she last saw her daughter on September 2, just one day before the murder.

Nabyoga mentioned that Nanziri had come home to pick up her younger sister, saying she was bored and wanted some company.

"My daughter was fine when I saw her. I don’t understand why anyone would want to kill her," Nabyoga said tearfully.

Two individuals, including Namuddu, have been arrested in connection with the murder so far.

Bukomansimbi Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Fred Kalema Pax, assured the community that a thorough investigation is underway and that justice will be served.

"We are working diligently to uncover the truth behind this heinous crime. Those responsible for this girl’s death will be brought to justice," Kalema stated, urging residents to remain calm and patient as investigations continue.

The village remains tense, with calls for a comprehensive investigation to uncover any motives behind the shocking murder of young Nanziri.

The case has drawn national attention, and the Southern Regional Police have vowed to leave no stone unturned.

As the investigation progresses, more arrests are expected, with the community hoping for answers and justice in this tragic case.