IUIU First-Year Student Found Dead in Rented Room

Police in Mbale City are investigating the death of a 24-year-old first-year student of the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), whose body was found in his rented room in Kiduda Cell, Namatala Ward, Industrial Division. The deceased has been identified as Dan Watyakala, a student at the university’s Mbale Main Campus.

According to Elgon Region Police Spokesperson Rogers Taitika, the incident was reported on September 19, 2026, at about 10:10 am after the deceased’s brother, Peter Namis, 39, a businessman from Musoto Cell, received information that something was wrong. Namis reportedly rushed to Watyakala’s rented room in Kiduda Cell, where he found the door open and the student’s body lying on the bed.

Police said the body had already started emitting an odor, suggesting that Watyakala had been dead for some time. Neighbours questioned by the complainant said they had no prior information about what had happened. Police have classified the case as suspected poisoning, although the circumstances surrounding the death and the identity of any person who may have been involved remain unclear.

Taitika said a homicide team led by the Deputy Criminal Investigations Officer visited the scene after the case was registered under reference DEF O8/2026. Police recovered several exhibits, including a small container containing tablets reportedly bearing writing indicating that they were poison. Investigations are ongoing to establish what caused Watyakala’s death and determine whether any person was involved.