Tragedy in Gayaza as Two-Year-Old Girl Murdered Despite Shs 10m Ransom Demand

A wave of grief has engulfed a local community in Gayaza following the tragic murder of a two-year-old girl whose life was cut short despite a frantic search and a ransom demand.

Two suspects have been taken into custody by police in Kasangati in connection with the killing of little Dartiva Rosaries Kyomuhando. The toddler’s life ended prematurely even after kidnappers demanded Shs 10 million for her safe return.

According to reports, the harrowing ordeal began on October 27 when the young girl went missing while playing near her home with neighboring children. Her disappearance prompted her mother, Lillian Atukwatse, to immediately notify law enforcement authorities.

The situation escalated the following morning when a ransom note demanding the hefty sum of Shs 10 million was discovered at the family’s gate, confirming the community’s worst fears of a kidnapping.

Investigators soon zeroed in on a local pedicurist named Joshua Muhumuza, whose residence was separated from the victim’s family home by just a perimeter wall. Preliminary findings indicate that Muhumuza was previously known to the family, having worked for the mother.

Upon his arrest, Muhumuza reportedly confessed to the heinous crime and guided police officers to a maize plantation in Kyetume, Gayaza, where the tragic discovery of the child’s body was made. Authorities also recovered a mobile phone from the suspect containing the line allegedly used to communicate the ransom demands. Muhumuza subsequently implicated his alleged accomplice, Florence Amusuguti, leading to her swift arrest as well.

The victim’s remains were transported to Mulago City Mortuary to undergo a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have confirmed that inquiries into the disturbing incident remain active.

Read more about this tragic incident at The Observer.