The suspect has been identified as Yusuf Musengule, 32, a resident of Macheche Village in Busakila Sub-county.
Musengule was arrested following a surveillance operation mounted in Budhebela Village, where the body of the child, James Abitanaye, was discovered.
According to local leaders, the suspect was spotted near the crime scene by Budhebela Village LC1 Vice Chairperson Richard Jengo, who became suspicious after noticing him loitering in the area.
Jengo said he approached Musengule and questioned him about his presence in the village, but received conflicting answers.
"I found him around my home dressed in a jacket and I started questioning him, but the answers were inconsistent," Jengo said.
As residents gathered, Musengule reportedly claimed he had come to visit Faruku Isabirye, whom he said had sold him sand. However, when Isabirye—previously identified as the person the deceased child had been sent to deliver a phone to before he was killed—was called to verify the claim, Musengule failed to recognise him.
The suspect later changed his account, saying he had simply come to look around the village.
Residents, unconvinced by his explanations, said his presence at the scene of a recent murder without a clear reason raised serious suspicion. They subsequently handed him over to police at Mayuge Central Police Station.
Addressing residents and the deceased's relatives at the police station, Mayuge District Police Community Liaison Officer George Samuel Masolo commended the community for surrendering the suspect to authorities rather than taking the law into their own hands.
He warned that mob justice is a criminal offence and assured residents that due process would be followed.
Masolo said that if investigations establish Musengule's involvement in the murder, he will be formally charged and prosecuted.
He also appealed to members of the public with information that could assist investigators to come forward and cooperate with police.
The deceased child is expected to be laid to rest on June 23, 2026, at Kasambira Village in Kamuli District.