By Eye Media Reporter | JINJA, UGANDA – June 4, 2025
Shock and grief engulfed residents of Bukaya in Njeru Division, Buikwe District on Tuesday after police retrieved the decomposing body of a young woman believed to have been murdered in cold blood and buried in the compound of a senior education officer.
The deceased, 26-year-old Jesca Mutesi from Masese, a Jinja City suburb, is believed to have been lured to her death in April under the pretense of casual employment. Investigations by Kiira Region Police have since revealed chilling details behind her disappearance, which had earlier been reported as a kidnap case on May 15.
According to Kiira Region Police spokesperson James Mubi, Jesca was contacted by a duo of casual labourers who claimed to have secured her a job in Njeru. Excited at the opportunity, Jesca reportedly accepted transport money and travelled immediately to Bukaya, where she was received by the suspects.
Instead of beginning work the next day, Jesca was allegedly led to the home of Amina Mutesi, a Principal Inspector of Schools, where she spent the night — but never lived to see the morning.
“Jesca was strangled to death and buried in the compound of Amina Mutesi,” Mubi revealed, adding that following the arrest of the suspects, they voluntarily confessed to the murder, implicating Mutesi as the mastermind.
Police later arrested Mutesi and are in the process of transferring her and the two accomplices to Njeru Police Station, where the crime is believed to have occurred.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the killing may have been part of a ritual sacrifice allegedly aimed at securing Mutesi’s position or promotion within the Ministry of Education.
“We are still verifying those claims,” Mubi said. “But what is clear is that this was a premeditated killing orchestrated under deception.”
Residents have expressed shock over the incident, describing Jesca as a humble and hardworking young woman. Her family had been searching for her for weeks, only to be met with the devastating confirmation of her death.
“We are heartbroken,” said a family member. “Jesca left home with hope and dreams. We never imagined she was walking into a trap.”
As investigations continue, police have urged the public to be vigilant and report suspicious individuals or activities. Meanwhile, Jesca’s body has been taken for postmortem as preparations for a dignified burial begin.
This gruesome murder adds to the growing concern about ritual killings and exploitation in pursuit of wealth or power — a dark undercurrent that continues to haunt the country’s conscience.
