Mbale: S.2 student killed, body recovered in pond

Police in Mbale City are currently conducting a manhunt for individuals believed to be responsible for the murder of an 18-year-old girl, whose body was discovered in a pond located in Nandala A cell, Rock Ward, Mbale Northern City Division.

The victim, identified as Salima Sanzitta, was a student in her second year at Nakaloke Secondary School. She resided in Nakaloke Il upper cell, Najjah Ward, Northern Division. It is suspected that she was strangled and her body was subsequently disposed of in the pond.

Mr. Rogers Taitika, the spokesperson for the Elgon Regional Police, stated that an investigation is underway, and he urged the public to provide any information or leads that could assist in identifying the culprits.

According to Mr. Taitika, it is alleged that the victim returned home from school around 6 PM on Wednesday. She changed her clothes and engaged in domestic chores. At approximately 7 PM, she left home for an unknown destination. Her sister attempted to contact her via phone but was unsuccessful. The following day, the lifeless body of the victim was discovered by children floating in the water.

The crime scene was visited by a team of police officers led by the Officer In-Charge of the Criminal Investigations Directorate. The area was thoroughly examined and documented as part of the ongoing investigation.

Police discovered several items, including sticks, approximately 10 meters away from the crime scene, which are believed to have been used to assault the deceased. Additionally, the police findings indicated that the victim’s upper lip on the right side had been severed. Marks on her neck suggested that she had been strangled by her assailants, and there were indications of blunt force trauma to her chest.

Mr. Yahaya Were, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner of Mbale City, attributed the incident to the escalating issue of drug abuse among young people. He stated that his office has initiated community policing initiatives to combat criminal activities in the area.

Mr. Moses Khoda, the defense secretary for the area, appealed to the police to increase foot patrols in the vicinity to prevent similar crimes from occurring in the future.