Police in Kampala have opened an investigation into the murder of 22-year-old Jovia Namuwulya, who was found dead inside her room in Bukoto earlier this month.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SP Rachel Kawala confirmed that Kira Road Police are investigating the incident, which reportedly occurred between midnight and 6:00 a.m. on August 20, 2026.
Namuwulya, who worked as a waitress, was a resident of Mukalazi Zone, Bukoto I Parish in Nakawa Division, Kampala District.
“I’m here to confirm that Kira Road Police are actively investigating a murder incident that occurred on the 20th of August 2026 between midnight and 6 a.m.,” Kawala said.
According to police, Namuwulya had rented the room approximately seven months earlier. About three months after moving in, she reportedly received a female visitor identified as Turindamukama Rose, who later began living with her in the same room.
The circumstances surrounding what happened inside the room remain under investigation.
Police said Namuwulya’s relatives became concerned on August 20 after they were unable to reach her by phone. They contacted the caretaker, who then went to the room together with Namuwulya’s sister.
The door was reportedly locked when they arrived.
Police said those at the scene looked through a window and noticed what appeared to be blood stains inside the room. They subsequently gained access to the room and found Namuwulya lying in a pool of blood.
Rose, who police say had been living with Namuwulya, was reportedly not at the scene and is currently being sought by investigators. Police have not established her role in Namuwulya’s death.
The case therefore remains an investigation, and no finding of criminal responsibility against Rose has been established.
Namuwulya’s body was taken to the City Mortuary for a postmortem examination as detectives continued working to establish what happened.
Police are also appealing to anyone with information that could assist in identifying or locating Rose to report to the nearest police station.
Authorities have additionally urged members of the public to exercise caution when allowing people they do not know well to access their homes or property.
For now, investigators are working to piece together the events that unfolded inside the Bukoto residence during the early hours of August 20.