Kampala Metropolitan Police have made significant progress in investigations into the murder of Patricia Kairu, a student at Kampala International University (KIU), whose body was found dumped in Kiyanja Cell, Nabbingo Ward, Kyengera Town Council, on 4 August 2026.
Police have arrested several suspects as investigations continue to establish what happened to Kairu and identify those responsible for her death.
On 3 September 2026, police arrested Mawanda Abdul Swabur in Kiyanja after investigations showed that he had arranged to meet Patricia in Kyengera on the day she was killed. He remains in police custody as investigations continue.
The following day, 4 September, police recovered Kairu’s mobile phone and arrested Matata Philian, a security guard at Seroma Hardware, together with his wife, Ayikoru Robinah. The phone was found in their possession and preliminary investigations showed that it had been bought from a shop at KK Plaza Basement along Namirembe Road.
Police subsequently conducted an operation at KK Plaza Basement on 8 September, arresting 37 suspects and recovering 360 second-hand mobile phones from 15 shops.
During the screening of those arrested, five suspects were identified as being linked to the shop where Patricia’s phone was allegedly purchased. They are Baker Maiso, Brian Kayongo, Mugerwa Morris, Nagawa Christine and Balyejusa Brian.
The suspects remain in custody as police investigate their individual roles and any possible links to Patricia’s murder.