Police have confirmed the successful arrest of a man suspected of the defilement and gruesome ritual murder of a 15-year-old student from Nakaloke Secondary School (SS) in Mbale City.
The suspect, identified as Fahad Kiranda, 27, was apprehended by Crime Intelligence operatives on Saturday, December 12, 2025, in Budebela Cell, Mayuge Town Council, Mayuge District, following an intense, months-long manhunt.
Kiranda is accused of the defilement and subsequent murder of 15-year-old Sumaya Edrisa Binti, a Senior Two student whose body was discovered at the Grace Guest House in Mbale City on March 23, 2025.
Suspect Apprehended in Mayuge After Months of Pursuit
Elgon region police spokesperson, SP Rogers Taitika, confirmed the major development, stating that the arrest was executed by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ismael Ssenono and his team after detailed tracking and surveillance operations.
The pursuit and eventual capture of Fahad Kiranda marks a significant breakthrough in the high-profile case that shocked the local community in Mbale and the wider region.
Alleged Motive: Ritual Sacrifice for Shs5 Million
According to police sources involved in the ongoing investigation, the suspect has reportedly admitted responsibility for the brutal killing of Sumaya Binti.
The confessed motive points to a chilling crime linked to ritual practices. Detectives report that Kiranda told them he was commissioned by a witchdoctor who requested human blood and an index finger for ritualistic purposes, for which the suspect alleges he was paid Shs5 million (Ugandan Shillings).
The suspect is currently being detained at Iganga Central Police Station, awaiting immediate transfer to Mbale City to continue the murder investigation. Police are working to determine if Kiranda has any other alleged victims.
Details of the Mbale Guest House Crime Scene
Police records detail the sequence of events at the Grace Guest House in Mbale City on the morning of March 23.
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Check-In: The suspect, Fahad Kiranda, checked into Room 11 at approximately 9:00 am, requesting a room for the night.
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The Discovery: About four hours later, a guest house staff member entered the room and made the horrifying discovery of Sumaya Binti’s naked body.
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Gruesome Details: The victim was found tied to the bed with a mosquito net, and tragically, one of her fingers had been severed. The suspect had already fled the scene.
Following his escape, the suspect reportedly called the guest house manager, advising them to check Room 11 for “their property.” The initial murder report was filed at Nkoma Police Station, but tracing and identifying the suspect had proven difficult until the recent breakthrough. The family of the deceased Nakaloke SS student and the Mbale community now await justice following the successful Fahad Kiranda arrest.
