Grief and fear continue to ripple through Mukono District following the brutal murder of Pamela Ruth Tumwebaze, a senior lecturer and Director of Student Affairs at Uganda Christian University (UCU).
The 46-year-old was strangled by an assailant who reportedly gained entry into her home in Ganvu West Cell, Seeta Ward, Goma Division, in the early hours of Wednesday, February 11, 2026, after her house-help opened the gate.
The attacker stole Tumwebaze’s laptop and mobile phone before fleeing. Her body was taken to Mukono Namirembe Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, pending a postmortem examination.
Local leaders revealed that the suspect may have accessed the house earlier in the day.
Gwaffu West Village Chairman Alex Wasswa said the attacker was reportedly found inside the house by family members and was allegedly asking for keys, raising suspicions of premeditation.
The murder has sent waves of shock and grief across the community and the university fraternity. Residents described Tumwebaze as humble, approachable, and development-oriented, actively supporting both education and community initiatives.
“She was a good neighbor, cooperative and always willing to help. This is a big loss not only to the university but to the entire community,” one resident said.
Students and colleagues at UCU expressed deep sorrow over her death, describing her as a dedicated administrator and mentor who played a pivotal role in student welfare and university governance.
Tumwebaze’s affiliation with UCU spanned more than two decades. She joined the university as an undergraduate in 2000, graduating in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, and served in multiple roles including Tutorial Assistant, Executive Officer to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Finance and Administration, Head of the Honors College, and most recently, Director of Student Affairs—a position she had held for about three months while completing a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication.
Police investigations are ongoing. A team led by ASP Majidu Alituha, Officer Commanding Mukono Police Station, together with the Scenes of Crime Office (SOCO), visited and documented the scene.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachel Kawala confirmed the probe, urging members of the public to cooperate with authorities.
Tumwebaze was last seen alive on Tuesday evening when she returned home around 10pm after delivering a keynote speech on building healthy student relationships during a community worship service at Nkoyoyo Hall.
She lived with her two children, Noah, 13, and Elijah, 10, and her house-help, Sharif Lwantale, 20.
Residents have called on authorities to strengthen security in the area, including increased police patrols, improved street lighting, and installation of surveillance cameras, to curb rising crime and restore public confidence.
As detectives pursue leads, the Mukono community and the university fraternity continue to mourn the loss of an educator whose life and service were tragically cut short.