Two Remanded in Connection with murder by strangulation, One Still at Large.

SP James Mubi Kiira Region Spokesperson In an Interview 

By Kenneth Wamatoyi. 

The Jinja Grade One Magistrate His Worship  Yafesi Ochieng on Friday 21st March 2025 remanded two suspects, Sheilah Nabatanzi and Ali Kigozi, who are suspected to be behind the death of a Norwegian national earlier in March in Walukuba, Jinja City. Meanwhile, another suspect remains on the run.

On Monday, March 10, a medical team attached to Mivule Crescent Medical Center along Radio Road in Jinja City reported to CPS Jinja Central about the lifeless body of a 39-year-old Norwegian male national. The body was brought to the medical facility by his girlfriend, Sheilah Nabatanzi, and a friend, Ali Kigozi, for medical attention. However, the medical team confirmed that he was already dead and subsequently informed the police.

The Regional CID Officer, SSP Dr. Monday Johnson Agaba, instructed senior homicide detectives and a scene-of-crime officer team, led by the OC CID of CPS Jinja Central, to take action.

According to Agaba, the police found the body in the emergency room, covered with green bedsheets, with an injury on the toes of his right leg. The body was initially taken to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital mortuary. However, the following day, March 11, it was transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.

Agaba further revealed that upon arrest on March 10, the two suspects claimed that the deceased, identified as Robert Hausvik, commonly known as "Katongole," had committed suicide during the night between Sunday, March 9, and Monday, March 10, at his rented residence in Walukuba West, Block C, Maternity Cell, Jinja Southern Division, Jinja City.

Hausvik, known as "Katongole" among his friends and the community, was residing with his girlfriend, Nabatanzi, in a two-bedroom house. The second bedroom was occupied by their friend, Ali Kigozi, and his girlfriend, identified as Zam Zam.

According to reports, on Sunday, March 9, Nabatanzi and Hausvik spent time together at Bourbon Bar and Lounge in Jinja City, where they had a serious misunderstanding. Nabatanzi left the bar and returned home alone, leaving her boyfriend behind. Hausvik later returned home, where their quarrel continued until Nabatanzi went to bed, leaving him in the sitting room.

In the early morning hours, Ali Kigozi reportedly found Hausvik hanging by his trousers. Nabatanzi and Kigozi then took the body to a nearby clinic before transferring it to Mivule Crescent Medical Center.

SP James Mubi stated that preliminary investigations at the Walukuba residence suggested a probable but questionable suicide. In response, Dr. Monday Johnson Agaba ordered a thorough, prosecution-guided investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Norwegian national’s death. The body was subsequently taken to Mulago National Referral Hospital mortuary, where forensic pathologists conducted a postmortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.

The postmortem report, conducted by AIGP Dr. Moses Byaruhanga, the Uganda Police Director of Medical Services, and Dr. Moses Ambayo, certified the cause of death as murder by strangulation.

Following the findings, the Resident Senior State Attorney (RSSA) sanctioned the case file, and on Friday, March 21, the two suspects were presented before the Jinja Magistrates' Court. They were remanded to Kirinya Prison until March 31, when they are scheduled to appear for a case mention.

Dr. Monday Johnson Agaba cautioned couples and the general public against disguising homicides as suicides, emphasizing that there is a clear distinction between the two.

SP James Mubi added that the motive behind the murder will be determined in due course as investigations continue. Meanwhile, Kigozi's girlfriend, Zam Zam, who fled, is now wanted by the police. The public is urged to provide any relevant information regarding her whereabouts.