Growing fear has gripped residents of Kagoma Town Council in Jinja District following the killing of a fifth boda boda rider in just six weeks, prompting calls for police to provide a comprehensive update on the investigations and measures being taken to end the attacks.
The latest victim, identified as Yosiya Kayima, a boda boda rider from Namulesa Ward in Jinja City, was found dead in a sugarcane plantation in Mutai Village along the Jinja-Kamuli Road.
His body was discovered by sugarcane cutters after they noticed blood stains stretching from the tarmac road into the plantation, where the body had been dumped. Kayima’s body was lying face down, with a black backpack covering his face, initially making it difficult for residents to identify him.
Police later identified the deceased and transferred the body to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination as investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death continue.
The latest killing has heightened anxiety among residents, who say the repeated dumping of bodies in the same area has turned Mutai Village into a crime hotspot.
Scovia Tusubira, a resident, said fear has become part of daily life, with many people avoiding movement after 7:00 p.m.
”We are living in uncertainty because bodies keep being dumped in the same place. We no longer move freely at night because we do not know who the killers are or whether they are living among us,” she said.
Another resident, Annet Musiitwa, faulted police for failing to share the outcomes of their investigations despite repeatedly visiting the area after each murder.
”Every time such a death occurs, police come, inspect the scene and record statements, but the killings continue. Crime scene inspections have become routine because we have not seen any tangible results,” she said.
Jinja District LCV Chairperson Moses Batwala said the serial killings have made Mutai a notorious black spot, forcing many residents to lock themselves indoors as early as 6:00 p.m.
He noted that Kagoma Town Council has two major forest reserves and extensive sugarcane plantations, features that could be providing cover for criminals. However, he stressed that police must intensify operations to bring the attacks to an end.
Batwala also questioned how the perpetrators have repeatedly dumped bodies in the same location without being intercepted, urging investigators to focus on the pattern, which he believes could provide crucial leads.
He further appealed to the government to install CCTV cameras at identified black spots along the Jinja-Kamuli Road to strengthen surveillance and aid investigations.
Responding to the concerns, Kiira Regional Police spokesperson James Mubi said investigations had made significant progress, with several suspects already in custody while others remain on the police wanted list.
Mubi also appealed to members of the public to volunteer information that could help investigators dismantle the criminal network behind the killings-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
