The motive behind the murder of Pamela Tumwebaze, a senior administrator at Uganda Christian University (UCU), remains shrouded in mystery, with new details emerging from the alleged confession of the prime suspect, Hussein Dak Taewaiko, exclusively obtained by this investigative website.
Our investigation reveals that upon his arrest by a joint security team comprising the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), Taewaiko told detectives at his home in Kamonkoli, Budaka District, that he was forced to take the life of Pamela Tumwebaze because he had joined a cult which required him to present blood, either of his parents or his bosses.
In his own assessment, he claimed that the weakest link was Pamela, his former employer.
However, while in security custody, Taewaiko later changed his narrative, stating that he murdered the UCU dean because his salary had allegedly never been paid.
He told investigators that he was demanding Shs800,000, which he claimed Pamela had refused to pay.
Earlier versions of events suggested that his salary had been cut following the disappearance of two children’s bicycles from the home.
Members of the household, however, have disputed this account, stating that the bicycles disappeared after Taewaiko had already been dismissed from the home in December.
They further claim that the deceased lodged a police complaint of theft after discovering the prime suspect’s National ID near the house where there had been a break-in at the structure where he previously stayed.
This website, however, has not seen the police case number relating to the alleged theft.
New details further indicate that Taewaiko initially earned Shs120,000, later increased to Shs200,000. The question that arises is what connection justified a 70 percent salary increment within such a shortesr time.
Was the shamba boy exceptionally hardworking to merit such a raise so quickly?
During the crime scene reconstruction at the deceased’s home in Gwafu Village, Goma Division, Mukono District, the suspect reportedly told investigators that when he entered the bedroom, Pamela threatened to raise an alarm, prompting him to strangle her.
The house in which Pamela lost her life after an attack by her shamba boy. The arrow shows where the shamba boy slept, the same structure where a break-in happened and bicycles went missing
Yet, what would be the natural reaction of any individual upon encountering a stranger in their bedroom, threatening to scream, or immediately screaming for help?
Taewaiko was found in possession of the deceased’s phone, which led to his arrest.
This raises further questions: how did he access the phone? Did Pamela have a password? If so, did he know it? Did he ask her for it before killing her? Or did she not have a password at all? How close could a shamba boy be to his boss to know such personal details?
If the murder was indeed motivated by the alleged Shs800,000 salary dispute, why did police say there was money was found on the table in the bedroom?
Why would the suspect leave cash behind and instead take gadgets? Could those gadgets have contained information he did not want anyone else to see?
After the alleged murder, the maid, Sharifa Rwantale, who had worked in the home for only a week reported hearing someone moving through the house at an unusual hour.
Sharifa Rwantale, the maid of the deceased
Her bedroom door was opened, and the lights were switched on using a switch hidden behind the door, requiring familiarity with the house.
The stranger claimed to be one of Pamela’s children. Instead of raising an alarm, the maid conversed with him and later woke the children, who went to check on their mother.
Given that Taewaiko had worked at the residence for years, how did the children fail to identify him, even though he was reportedly wearing the deceased’s clothes?
The maid’s statement does not indicate whether the stranger had covered his face.
New Lover
Investigations should also be guided by information regarding an American lover, Mark Guthrie, who was planning to marry the deceased once she finalised her divorce from her former husband, Alex Matsiko, a city lawyer.
Information obtained by this website indicates that Guthrie had been reportedly spotted multiple times at Mukono hangout spots with two women. Given his reported wealth, could jealousy or insecurity have played a role?
Unknown Lover
This website has further learnt that before the American lover, Pamela had been romantically involved with a Ugandan workmate, believed to be a Mugisu by tribe, whose identity remains unknown but is reportedly known to close colleagues at UCU. Has Police looked at that detail too?
Divorce
Information now in the public domain indicates that Pamela and her ex-husband separated in 2014, just three years after their wedding in 2011.
It remains unclear why she had not finalised the divorce for over 12 years. Media reports suggest she previously attempted to process the divorce but was let down by lawyers.
Who were these lawyers? Why did they fail her? Have they been interviewed by police?
Police reports further indicate that at the time of her death, Pamela had resumed the divorce process.
Have investigators interviewed the new lawyers? Who are they, and what discussions had they held with the deceased?
Killer Within
During her burial in Rubaya, Kashari, Mbarara District, the Vice Chancellor of UCU, Aaron Mushengyezi, reportedly told mourners that the killer “is among us, he is here.” Has police invited the professor to record a statement explaining what he meant?
Pamela Tumwebaze was laid to rest at her ancestral home amid grief, unanswered questions, and growing public concern.
REST IN PEACE PAMELA TUMWEBAZE.
