Woman, daughter arrested over husband’s murder

WAKISO - In a chilling case that has gripped a suburb of Kampala, Ugandan authorities have arrested a woman and her daughter for the suspected murder of her husband, 50-year-old South Sudanese national Wani James. 

His body was allegedly burned in an attempt to cover up the crime.

This occurred on Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Katooke, Kisimu, Nansana Municipality, in the Wakiso District.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango, neighbours grew suspicious after Wani suddenly went missing without explanation.

When residents questioned his whereabouts, the wife claimed he was hospitalised at Mulago National Referral Hospital, which raised suspicion.

“The residents had not seen Wani for days and grew concerned. When they approached the wife, she told them he was in the hospital,” said Onyango.

“She even gave them the phone number of someone she said was caring for him. But the number didn't go through, and it raised a lot of concern,” he added.

Residents reported the inconsistencies to the police, prompting an investigation that took a darker turn when Wani’s stepdaughter broke the sad news during questioning.

She reportedly confessed that her mother had killed Wani and attempted to destroy the evidence by setting his body on fire.

Onyango said the wife later led detectives to the concealed remains, which were recovered and transported to the city mortuary for postmortem analysis.

He said both suspects, the wife and her daughter, are currently in custody as investigations continue. He said a formal murder case has been opened.

However, he stressed that during the investigation, reports indicated that the household had a history of domestic violence. "We suspect it might have resulted in this murder," Onyango said.

He said the police have also taken statements from several witnesses, as part of the investigation.