The incident came to light Sunday morning after family members and residents launched a search for the child when he failed to return home from an errand.
According to the child's mother, Sarah Naigaga, she had sent her son to deliver a mobile phone to a nearby home for charging. When he did not return as expected, the family became concerned and began making inquiries.
The child's aunt, Lovisha Namuganza, said the family initially assumed the boy had been delayed. However, when several hours passed without any communication, they visited the home where he had been sent.
Upon arrival, they were informed that the child had delivered the phone and left shortly afterwards.
As concern grew, relatives and neighbours began searching for the boy from around 9am, combing through the surrounding area in the hope of finding him.
The search took a tragic turn when one of the deceased's friends entered a nearby abandoned building and discovered a body wrapped in a plastic bag. He immediately alerted the child's father, Alex Kayima, who rushed to the scene and confirmed that it was his son.
“We moved around the village and beyond searching for him together with his friend. After a long search, his friend saw him in the room,” Namuganza said.
Faruku Musobya, the head of the household where the child had delivered the phone, confirmed that the boy had arrived at the home and completed the errand before leaving.
He said residents were shocked by the news of the child's disappearance and death.
“The boy brought the phone and left immediately. During the search, one of the neighbours told us they had heard a scream, but they thought the children were simply playing,” Musobya said.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents, who blamed abandoned structures in the area for providing hideouts for criminals.
Several community members called on property owners to secure or rehabilitate abandoned buildings, arguing that they pose a serious security threat.
Budhebela Village LC1 Chairperson Sulsoman Waiswa Kabangala urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and closely monitor their children, especially in areas with unoccupied and poorly monitored structures.
Police in Mayuge recovered the body and transported it to Mayuge Health Centre IV mortuary for a postmortem examination as investigations into the suspected murder continue.
Authorities have not yet identified or arrested any suspects in connection with the killing.