Kyampisi, Uganda – A week-long search for a Senior Two student of Naalya Secondary School in Lugazi, Buikwe District, ended in tragedy after her body was discovered in a swamp in Mukono District. Authorities are treating the case as suspected murder.
The 15-year-old student, identified as Merisa Aneza, went missing on November 4 after leaving her mother’s home in Makerere Kikoni, Kampala, to return to school. Her mother, Sarah Kamuganga, reported her disappearance to Kikoni B Police Station on November 6, prompting an intensive search across Kampala and Mukono.
Ms. Kamuganga explained that her daughter had just completed a one-week suspension from school. The student’s father, Martin Anogyerire, had been expected to accompany her back to school on November 4, but she never arrived at his home.
CCTV footage from a neighbour captured Merisa walking alone, but her trail went cold until November 10, when social media circulated disturbing images of a decomposing body in Musaale Swamp, Namulaba Village, Kyampisi Sub-county. By the time her family saw the images, mortuary staff at Kayunga Hospital had already buried the remains due to advanced decomposition. Ms. Kamuganga later confirmed the identity of the body after reviewing photographs at Nagalama Police Station, describing the moment as “heartbreaking.”
The victim was reportedly wearing a navy-blue skirt marked “Nanyonga VII,” prompting police to reach out to schools in nearby areas for any possible leads.
Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed that two separate files – the missing person report and the recovered body – are now being investigated jointly at the Kampala Metropolitan East Regional Headquarters.
Owoyesigyire noted that the body has not yet been handed over to the family, as DNA testing is necessary to verify the identity scientifically. “Police have applied for a court order to conduct exhumation. Samples will be collected for DNA analysis to determine if the remains belong to Merisa Aneza,” he said.
He urged the public to stay calm, emphasizing that no definitive link has yet been established between the missing student and the recovered body. “Investigations are ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” he added.
