Residents of Lower Nabuti Village in Central Division, Mukono Municipality, were left in shock on Tuesday after road construction workers uncovered a badly decomposed human body dumped in a roadside drainage trench along Lweza Road.
The grim discovery was made by workers from China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), who were clearing ditches and opening a drainage channel as part of ongoing road works in the area.
According to an eyewitness who works nearby, the driver of a grader first sensed something unusual when the machine’s blade struck what appeared to be human legs buried in the soil.
“The grader was clearing the ditch when the blade hit the legs. That’s when we raised an alarm and people gathered to see what was happening,” the resident said.
The body, which had been partially buried and covered with soil, was in an advanced state of decomposition. Only the lower limbs were initially visible, clothed in short trousers and black boots.
Notably, there was no strong odour at the scene, likely because the remains had been concealed underground for a prolonged period.
Police officers from Wantoni Police Post responded swiftly, later reinforced by a team from Mukono Police led by Operations officer ASP Dison Ngobi. A thorough search of the trench and surrounding area yielded no additional remains or immediate evidence.
Residents offered conflicting accounts about how the body ended up in the drainage channel. Some suspect the deceased may have been killed elsewhere and dumped at the site, while others believe floodwaters could have carried the body from upstream areas in Nabuti, which are known to channel debris during heavy rains.
The area is typically busy, with a washing bay, small shops, a church, and a nearby stone quarry. Despite the constant human activity, residents expressed concern that no earlier reports had been made about a foul smell or suspicious activity.
Mukono Municipality Councillor Augustine Romeo described the incident as disturbing and condemned the practice of dumping waste in drainage channels, warning that it poses both environmental and security risks.
Area Chairperson Fred Magero, who said he received news of the discovery while returning from a church service, urged residents to remain calm and vigilant.
He called on anyone with a missing relative to report to Mukono Police Station, noting that no recent missing persons cases had been recorded in the area.
Police have appealed to the public for information that could help identify the deceased. The remains were transported to Mulago National Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination, including DNA analysis to determine identity and cause of death.
Investigations are ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out foul play.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about public safety and waste management in Mukono Municipality, with residents calling for improved drainage maintenance and heightened vigilance.
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