In Mutungo Zone 8 neighborhood in Nakawa Division, Kampala, as news broke of the arrest of Joline Mutesi, the wife of prominent businessman Chris Rugari. The arrest came in the wake of the mysterious death of their two-year-old son, Nganwa Rugari, under circumstances that have left the community reeling and authorities scrambling for answers. The couple, already embroiled in a contentious divorce battle at Nakawa Family Court, found themselves thrust into the spotlight as police launched an investigation into the toddler’s untimely demise. What began as a private family dispute has now escalated into a public tragedy, raising questions about trust, infidelity, and the dark undercurrents of domestic strife.
The incident unfolded just hours before a court-ordered DNA paternity test was scheduled for Nganwa and his four siblings, a procedure mandated amid Rugari’s allegations of Mutesi’s infidelity. According to a family source, Rugari had previously conducted DNA tests on their three eldest children in 2023, with results indicating that two were not biologically his. This revelation had fueled his decision to file for divorce and seek confirmation of paternity for all five children, including Nganwa, the fourth-born, whose test had yet to occur. On the day of the child’s death, Rugari reportedly contested the initial explanation provided by Mutesi, prompting police to detain her at Jinja Road Police Station for questioning. Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed that Mutesi remains in custody as investigators await a detailed postmortem report to determine the exact cause of Nganwa’s death.
Chris Rugari, a well-known entrepreneur with business interests spanning Uganda, South Sudan, and Zambia, has maintained a low profile since the tragedy, refraining from public comment. However, the community has not been as reserved, with neighbors and relatives speculating about the couple’s strained relationship. Unconfirmed reports suggest that tensions had been simmering for months, with Rugari’s accusations and the impending DNA test adding fuel to an already volatile situation. Minister of State for Industry David Bahati, speaking at a vigil for Nganwa, urged mourners to remain calm and allow the investigation to proceed, stating, “Let us be patient and wait for the postmortem results.” Yet, beneath the official calls for restraint, whispers of foul play have begun to circulate, deepening the sense of unease in Mutungo.
The police response has been swift but measured, with officers from Jinja Road Station taking statements from Mutesi and domestic workers present at the time of the incident. While the cause of Nganwa’s death remains undisclosed pending forensic analysis, Rugari’s challenge to the initial account has cast a shadow over the narrative. The businessman’s decision to push for further examination suggests a belief that the circumstances were not accidental, though no official charges have been filed as of April 7, 2025. The lack of concrete details from the postmortem has only heightened public curiosity, with residents piecing together fragments of the couple’s troubled history to make sense of the tragedy.
Beyond the immediate shock, the case has exposed the fragility of familial bonds under pressure. Rugari and Mutesi’s legal battle, once confined to the courtroom, has now spilled into a criminal investigation, intertwining personal grievances with a potential crime. As police pathologists work to uncover the truth, the community waits, grappling with the unsettling reality that a child’s death has turned a domestic dispute into a matter of public scrutiny.
