Police in Namutumba District have rescued a 25-year-old man from an angry mob after he was arrested over the alleged murder of his three-year-old stepson in Bulyansala Village.
Police in Namutumba District have arrested a 25-year-old man suspected of murdering his three-year-old stepson and beheading him.
The suspect, identified as Halid Zibwa, a resident of Bugali Village, Mpumiro Parish, Bulange Sub-county, was arrested on Friday, October 16, 2026, following the incident in Bulyansala Village.
According to police, the deceased, identified as Junior Tiba, was with his mother, Joan Mukodan, who was picking groundnuts in a garden when the suspect allegedly took the child under the pretext of playing with him.
Zibwa reportedly disappeared with the boy, prompting the mother to raise concern when he failed to return after several hours.
A search was launched, and the child was later found dead, with his head severed from his body.
Residents reportedly joined the search and, after receiving information implicating the suspect, apprehended him. An angry crowd subsequently attempted to lynch him, but police intervened and rescued him before taking him into custody.
Busoga East police spokesperson Michael Kasadha said officers, led by the Namutumba District Police Commander, visited the scene as investigations commenced.
The child’s body was taken to Nsinze Health Centre IV mortuary for a postmortem examination, while the suspect was detained at Namutumba Central Police Station.
“Preliminary findings indicate the suspect is a known drug addict. We strongly condemn the act and urge parents to be vigilant over their children and to report drug abusers in the community. Further investigations are ongoing,” Kasadha said.
Police are continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.