The circumstances surrounding the discovery of a Makerere University lecturer’s body floating in Lake Victoria are currently under investigation by the police.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango identified the deceased as Julius Mugaga, 32 years old, who resided in Kasubi Mengo, Rubaga division in Kampala. Mugaga was a lecturer at Makerere University.
According to Onyango, the incident was reported to police on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 12:33 pm. Fishermen at Senene Island on Lake Victoria reported seeing a body floating near the shores, facing upwards.
Upon receiving this information, the police responded promptly. They documented the crime scene, gathered statements from eyewitnesses, and retrieved the body from the lake, bringing it to Portbell for easier retrieval.
The body, in a decomposed state, was dressed in a dark and light blue T-shirt and assorted color shorts. Alongside the body, authorities recovered an Aquos mobile phone, a bank deposit slip dated May 13, 2024, bearing Mugaga’s name, and a pair of rubber blue sandals.
Through missed calls on the deceased’s phone, relatives were identified. Alex Ssebufu, a biological brother, confirmed the identity of the deceased as Mugaga. The family had previously reported Mugaga missing to Kawala Police Station under SD reference 14/15/05/2024.
The body was conveyed to the City mortuary for postmortem examination to determine the cause of death.
Police are continuing their inquiries into the circumstances leading to Mugaga’s tragic demise.
