“Bridget and Mayanja loved each other, but there were underlying issues,” Arinda said. “Before her death, she confided in a friend that there were things troubling her, but she feared for her life and could not speak openly.”
Fresh details have emerged in the murder case of a Uganda Christian University (UCU) law student, as the prime suspect, John Bosco Mayanja, reappeared before the Mukono Chief Magistrate’s Court.
Mayanja, 25, a resident of Kisoga in Ntenjeru-Kisoga Town Council, Mukono district is accused of killing his girlfriend, 22-year-old Bridget Arikiriza, a final-year law student at UCU, Mukono.
He appeared on Monday before Grade One Magistrate Joy Kebirungi, who further remanded him to Luzira Prison until June 4, 2026. Court heard that investigations into the alleged murder are still ongoing. As a lower court, the magistrate’s court can only handle mention of the case and does not have jurisdiction to try capital offences.
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During the session, prosecutors revealed new details surrounding the events leading to Arikiriza’s death on the night of April 8, 2026.
According to the prosecution, led by Basajjabalaba Siratwa, the couple had a disagreement at The Hive bar in Mukono Town earlier that evening. It is alleged that Mayanja later forced Arikiriza into his Toyota Premio, registration number UBH 872C.
Shortly after leaving the bar, Mayanja reportedly called a worker there, claiming that his girlfriend had been involved in an accident along Mukono–Katosi Road. However, court heard that he later switched vehicles, transferring her into a Toyota Mark X, registration number UBP 381Q, where he was joined by alleged accomplices.
The group then rushed Arikiriza to Mukono Church of Uganda Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Investigators now believe the injuries that led to her death were sustained before she was taken to hospital, contradicting the initial claim of a road accident.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Recheal Kawala said inconsistencies in Mayanja’s account raised suspicion and prompted further investigations, leading to his arrest.
Police have since recovered both vehicles allegedly used that night and conducted visits to multiple crime scenes along Mukono–Katosi Road, where the victim is believed to have sustained the fatal injuries.
Meanwhile, the deceased’s family says new revelations have deepened their suspicion that Arikiriza may have been attacked during a violent altercation.
Her brother, Isalah Arinda, told journalists that she had visible head injuries, which the family believes were inflicted before she was taken to hospital.
“Bridget and Mayanja loved each other, but there were underlying issues,” Arinda said. “Before her death, she confided in a friend that there were things troubling her, but she feared for her life and could not speak openly.”
The family has welcomed the progress of investigations and expressed hope that justice will be served.
