By Ronnie Wabomba and Andrew Nakhaboya
BUDUDA
Residents of Kuturu Village, Bulatse Parish in Bufuma Sub-County, Bududa District, are reeling in shock, fear, and grief following the gruesome killing of a six-year-old girl identified as Margaret Namasopo.
The tragic incident, which has sent shockwaves across the community, reportedly occurred after the young girl went missing on Monday afternoon, 22nd June 2026 and was later found dead in a nearby coffee plantation under circumstances that have left residents demanding swift justice.
According to family members, Margret Namasopo left her home on Monday afternoon but did not return later in the day, prompting concern among her parents and relatives.
Her father, Nicholas Mutsuli, said the family immediately launched a search effort after realizing she had not returned home by evening.
“We searched for her throughout the night on Monday, but we could not find her anywhere,” Mutsuli said.
The search continued into the following morning as anxiety grew within the family and the wider community.
On Tuesday morning, the family received information from a passerby who claimed to have seen the girl on Monday evening in the company of a man identified as Tongolo Tsapwe, a suspected criminal who had recently been released from prison.
The report heightened concern among relatives, who immediately attempted to locate Tsapwe to inquire about the child’s whereabouts. However, he could not be found at the time.
Community members say Tsapwe had previously been known to local authorities due to past criminal allegations, although details remain under police investigation.
The search for the missing girl came to a tragic end on Wednesday morning when a woman who had gone to her garden reportedly discovered a child’s lifeless body lying in a coffee plantation near the village.
The body was later identified as that of Margret Namasopo, prompting an outpouring of grief and anger from residents who rushed to the scene.
Police were alerted and the body was retrieved and transported to Bududa Hospital for postmortem examination.
Authorities have since identified Tongolo Tsapwe as the main suspect in the alleged murder. He is reported to have fled the area shortly after the incident, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.
Security agencies have launched a manhunt to track him down and bring him to justice.
Local leaders have strongly condemned the incident, describing it as one of the most disturbing crimes the area has witnessed in recent years.
Laurence Kutosi, the Local Council I Chairperson of Kuturu Village, said the killing has left the entire community in fear and disbelief.
“This is a very shocking incident that we have never experienced in this village before. We call upon security agencies to do everything possible to ensure the suspect is arrested,” he said.
Former Bufuma Sub-County LCIII Chairperson, Jackson Makayi Nabwoya, noted that the last similar incident in the area occurred many years ago.
He said such acts of violence could be linked to increasing cases of drug abuse in the community, particularly marijuana use, and urged residents to report individuals engaged in such activities to authorities.
Makayi also appealed for the urgent establishment of a police station in Bufuma Sub-County, saying it would help strengthen security and reduce crime.
Bufuma Sub-County LCIII Chairperson, Nicholas Tongolo, urged residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
He specifically warned against destroying property belonging to the suspect’s relatives, saying the matter should be left in the hands of law enforcement agencies.
“This is a very unfortunate incident, and we strongly condemn it. Anyone involved will face the law once investigations are complete,” he said.
Robert Wakwaale, the LC5 Councillor for Bufuma Sub-County, alleged that the suspect had previously been arrested, charged, and imprisoned in connection with the rape of a young girl in the area.
He said this history has raised suspicion among residents, though he emphasized that investigations must be allowed to establish the truth.
“We are calling upon security agencies to intensify efforts and ensure the suspect is arrested and brought before the law,” Wakwaale said.
Bududa District Police Commander, Barnabas Banyenzaki, confirmed that police had launched investigations into the incident.
He urged members of the public who may have information that could assist in the investigation to share it with authorities.
“We are appealing to the community to cooperate with police so that we can apprehend the suspect as soon as possible,” Banyenzaki said.
He also cautioned residents against tampering with the crime scene, noting that forensic teams, including sniffer dogs, would be deployed to aid in tracing the suspect.
“We urge the public to remain calm and allow police to complete their work,” he added.
Bududa District LC5 Chairperson, Geoffrey Natubu condemned the killing and assured residents that authorities would not rest until justice is served.
He also urged young people in the area to engage in productive activities such as agriculture instead of engaging in alcohol consumption and idleness, which he said could contribute to criminal behavior in communities.
By the time of filing this report, tensions remained high in Kuturu Village, with reports indicating that a mob from the deceased’s family side had attacked relatives of the suspect.
Several houses were set ablaze, and property including plantations was destroyed as anger escalated in the community.
Security forces are monitoring the situation to prevent further violence as investigations continue.
Police say investigations are ongoing and have assured the public that all those involved in the killing will be brought to justice.
The body of the deceased remains at Bududa Hospital pending post mortem results, as the search for the suspect continues.
