Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Musheyezi, led the university in paying tribute to Ms. Tumwebaza, describing her as a peaceful, joyful soul whose infectious smile brightened every room she entered.
“But you really have to understand,” Prof. Musheyezi said solemnly, “why anyone in this world would want to take Pamela’s life. Pamela was a simple, peaceful, happy soul. She smiled all the time. She had an infectious smile.”
Quoting Jeremiah 17:9 “The human heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can understand it?” Prof. Musheyezi reflected on the mystery of human actions and the need for spiritual renewal.
“Without God, all of us are capable of doing evil. It is only God who redeems us and washes our sins,” he said, urging the community to respond not with hatred, but with prayer and faith.
Ms. Tumwebaze served UCU for nearly 20 years in various capacities, including Executive Officer in the Academic Affairs Division, later in Finance and Administration, and finally as Head of Student Affairs a role in which she flourished.
“She gave her life to this university,” Prof. Musheyezi added. “If each of us takes something from her life her love, her selflessness, her faith we will become better human beings. That will be her living legacy.”
Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Mr. David Mugawe, described Ms. Tumwebaze as a committed Christian and a fearless advocate for students.
“She never shied away from declaring that she knew the Lord as her personal Savior,” he said. “Prayer was at the center of everything she did.”
Mr. Mugawe recounted how she would personally respond to student emergencies, even late at night, refusing to delegate when a student was in distress.
“At 11 p.m. or 4 a.m., she would say, ‘I am going.’ She loved students who were struggling. She could not rest if a student had a problem.”
Ms. Tumwebaze was instrumental in organizing support systems for students battling addiction and emotional challenges. Her colleagues said she planted seeds of hope in countless lives — through a word, a prayer, a smile, or firm guidance.
“She was a planter,” Mr. Mugawe said. “Each of us here carries something she planted in us.”
Emotions overflowed when her children, 13-year-old Elijah Mastiko and his younger brother Noah Sean Mastiko, addressed mourners.
“One thing I want to say about my mom,” Eliaziah said through tears, “is that she really loved God. She was the kindest woman I have ever met.”
Their brief tribute brought many in the hall to tears.
University leaders pledged to stand with the boys and their family during this painful time.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SP Reacheal Kawala, preliminary findings indicate that at around 2:00 a.m., the housemaid reportedly saw an unknown man inside the residence, allegedly wearing the deceased’s jeans and stockings.
The suspect fled the scene carrying a laptop bag belonging to Ms. Tumwebaza.
The maid and the children later found Ms. Tumwebaza unresponsive in her bed. She was rushed to Namirembe Church of Uganda Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police task teams have been deployed to investigate the matter. Authorities have confirmed that no arrests have yet been made, but operations are underway to identify and apprehend the suspect.
“We remain committed to ensuring that the perpetrator is brought to justice,” SP Kawala stated.
University officials have called for a thorough investigation and swift justice.
“We are deeply saddened and dissatisfied by the murder of our staff member,” one university leader said. “We call upon the police to carry out thorough investigations and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
At the same time, several speakers called for spiritual reflection and national repentance amid rising violence.
Harriet Atuyabe, Director of Communication at UCU, delivered an emotional message:
“Why Pamela? Wasn’t there an opportunity to talk? To resolve differences? We pray that the Lord speaks to the one who did this that there is repentance, that we stop killing each other in Uganda.”
Rev. Prof. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, described Ms. Tumwebaza as “a great gift” to the university.
“Pamela understood the love of God and the love of His people,” he said. “She was bold, she spoke her mind, and she cared deeply.”
Friends described her as prayerful, disciplined, and passionate about family. She participated in prayer groups for mothers and for Uganda, often fasting and interceding for others.
Mark Guthrie, Executive Director of Renew Uganda Initiative, called her “irreplaceable.”
Ruth Ahabwe, Guild President of UCU’s Kampala Campus, said students had lost a parent figure.
“We do not know what to do without her,” she said quietly.
Candles flickered across Nkoyoyo Hall as hymns were sung and prayers offered. The university community stood united in grief.
Her body will be brought to UCU for special prayers before being transported to Mbarara for burial arrangements.
As investigations continue, the UCU community remains steadfast grieving, praying, and honoring the life of a woman who embodied servant leadership.
