Kampala, Uganda – Police at Jinja Road have arrested Joline Mutesi, the wife of prominent Kampala businessman Chris Rugari, in connection with the suspicious death of their two-year-old son, Nganwa.
The child, who resided with his family in Mutungo Zone 8, reportedly died under unclear circumstances following an alleged fall from the first floor of their family home on the night of April 1, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m. Neighbors and authorities immediately raised concerns.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SSP Patrick Onyango, Mutesi contacted an ambulance service shortly after the alleged fall. The child was taken to Kitintale Hospital, arriving around 10:00 p.m.
“The doctor on duty examined the child and noted that he was conscious and showed no alarming symptoms. Painkillers were administered, and a CT scan was recommended. However, the child was not admitted,” Onyango stated.
Tragically, at approximately 5:00 a.m. the following morning, Mutesi returned to the hospital with Nganwa, who was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police were promptly notified, and a death inquiry file was opened. Detectives visited the family residence in Mutungo to inspect the scene of the reported fall. During this investigation, significant discrepancies emerged.
“Our team noted that the window from which the child was said to have fallen had no burglar bars, was shut, and its lock was intact. Furthermore, a post-mortem examination conducted at the KCCA mortuary in Mulago revealed no visible physical injuries on the child’s body,” SSP Onyango added.
The inconsistencies in the mother’s account and the lack of physical evidence supporting a fall led to the arrest of Joline Mutesi, who is currently in custody to assist with the ongoing investigation.
The tragic incident has deeply shocked the Mutungo community, with many questioning the true events of that night. Family friends and neighbors described the toddler as playful and full of life, intensifying the heartbreak surrounding his untimely death.
While businessman Chris Rugari has not yet issued a public statement, sources close to the family indicate that he is cooperating with the police investigation.
Speaking at the vigil, former prime minister Dr. Ruhakana Ruganda and Minister of State for Industry David Bahati urged mourners to remain calm and allow investigators to conduct their work. “Let us be patient and wait for the postmortem results,” Dr. Ruganda said.
Unconfirmed reports have also surfaced suggesting potential internal tensions within the family, including allegations of a divorce in progress. However, these claims remain speculative as neither Chris Rugari nor his wife has publicly commented on the matter.
Chris Rugari is a well-known businessman with previous operations in South Sudan and Zambia.
As police continue to piece together the events leading up to Nganwa’s death, they are appealing to anyone with relevant information to come forward. The investigation remains open, and further updates are anticipated in the coming days.
