RIP: Pamela Tumwebaze
Police investigating the murder of Uganda Christian University (UCU) Director of Student Affairs, Pamela Ruth Tumwebaze, have revealed that she was in the final stages of a divorce process at the time of her death, adding another line of inquiry into the high-profile case.
Tumwebaze was killed on Tuesday night, February 11, 2026, at her residence in Seeta, Mukono District, in what police have described as a brutal murder by strangulation.
Investigators say they are pursuing multiple leads as they work to establish the motive behind the killing. Among the key areas under scrutiny are a missing laptop, the circumstances surrounding her place of residence, and developments in her personal life, including an ongoing divorce process.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, Tumwebaze was finalising divorce proceedings with Kampala-based lawyer Alex Matsiko. Police have not indicated that the divorce is directly linked to the murder but say it forms part of routine background inquiries aimed at reconstructing the victim’s recent interactions and movements.
Police have also confirmed that Tumwebaze was residing at a house belonging to her in-law, RedPepper director Patrick Mugumya, who is currently based in the United Kingdom. Investigators are examining whether the attacker may have targeted another person at the residence or whether Tumwebaze herself was the intended victim.
As earlier reported, a housemaid told police that she saw an unknown man inside the house at around 2:00am, wearing the deceased’s clothing and carrying away a laptop bag before fleeing. Tumwebaze was later found unresponsive in her bedroom and was pronounced dead on arrival at Namirembe Church of Uganda Hospital.
Police spokesperson SP Rachael Kawala has said that task teams remain on the ground as efforts continue to identify, trace, and arrest the suspect.
“We are following all possible leads to ensure that the perpetrator is apprehended and brought to justice,” Kawala said.
Tumwebaze, remembered as a dedicated administrator and mentor, served as Dean of Students at UCU and was widely respected for her leadership and compassion within the university community.
Investigations into the murder are ongoing.
