Outrage and heartbreak are gripping the communities of Bushenyi and Mbarara after the shocking murder of James Katumba, a young academic and rising star in Uganda’s education sector.
Katumba, Head of Innovations at Valley University, Bushenyi, and a Master’s student at Bishop Stuart University (BSU), was abducted on Saturday morning while traveling from Kinoni Town Council in Rwampara. He was found dead the next day in Kenkombe, near Koranorya, under circumstances too brutal for words.
Described as “hopeful, brilliant, and deeply committed” to educational reform, Katumba was not just another lecturer — he was a changemaker, raised by Dr. Barigye Enock from a young age after losing his parents in Kyegegwa District.
He was boarding a local taxi around 6:30 a.m. when something went horribly wrong. Just 20 minutes into the trip, his phone lit up with desperate calls. He told relatives he had been kidnapped. His captors demanded UGX 3 million, then quickly upped the ransom to UGX 10 million. But before the family could mobilize the funds, the line went dead.
On Sunday morning, the nightmare became a reality. Katumba’s body was discovered, reportedly mutilated and dumped in a remote part of Mbarara. Details of the injuries are still emerging, but early sources suggest he suffered extreme violence.
At Bishop Stuart University, students and staff have been left reeling. A peaceful protest was held Monday on campus grounds.
“He was one of our brightest minds,” said a BSU lecturer. “We lost a visionary. Uganda lost a future leader.”
The murder has sparked widespread calls for justice and reform. Activists and educators alike are pressing the government to crack down on rising abductions and commuter insecurity in southwestern Uganda.
“How many more young lives must we lose before something is done?” a protest sign read.
So far, no arrests have been made. The police have confirmed an investigation is underway but have not issued an official statement as of press time.
The killing has left a dark cloud over Bushenyi and Mbarara. Katumba’s colleagues at Valley University have postponed academic activities in his honor. Bishop Stuart University is planning a candlelight vigil.
This isn’t just a crime story — it’s a national wake-up call.
James Katumba had plans. Now he’s a hashtag. And unless something changes, he won’t be the last.
