news 14 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Pallisa School Watchman's Death Ruled Murder After Postmortem
What was initially suspected to be a suicide by hanging has been reclassified as murder by assault following a postmortem examination of a 66-year-old watchman in Pallisa District. The examination revealed signs of blunt-force trauma and severe penile injuries. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/police-investigate-murder-of-pallisa-school-watchman-found-hanging-5558030
Police in Pallisa District are investigating the death of James Waluwanja, a 66-year-old watchman at Kameke Secondary School, whose body was discovered hanging from a mango tree on August 10. Waluwanja had reportedly finished his shift and gone home the previous night.
According to police, Waluwanja left his home for his day shift around 6 am. However, by 7 am, residents found his body suspended by a sisal rope about 150 meters from his residence, prompting an alarm.
Initial investigations at the scene led officers to suspect suicide. However, a closer examination by police revealed certain signs inconsistent with a typical suicide, raising suspicions. The body was subsequently transported to Mbale City mortuary for a postmortem examination.
The postmortem findings were crucial, revealing that Waluwanja had sustained severe blunt-force trauma to the neck and significant penile injuries. Based on this evidence, police have officially reclassified the death as murder by assault, abandoning the initial suicide theory.
Authorities have opened a murder inquiry and are actively working with the local community to gather information and identify the perpetrators. No suspects have been named at this time. The investigation is ongoing under Pallisa CRB 352/2026.