Police in Matugga in Wakiso district are investigating circumstances under which a pastor who was returning home from night prayers was hacked to death by unknown assailants.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, the incident happened at Wattuba village, Wattuba ward, Nangabo division in Wakiso district when Esther Nakibuuka, 39 a pastor at World of Life Church in Watubba was hacked to death.

Onyango said residents discovered the body and alerted the police, who took statements from witnesses at the scene.

"The victim's body was found lying in a pool of blood with a deep stab wound on the left side of her neck. A knife is believed to have been used, and the victim bled profusely from the wound. There were no signs of rape," Onyango said.

He said preliminary investigations show Nakibuuka had earlier led an overnight prayer session with her team.

"At around 2:00 a.m., they went for a prayer walk from the church to the main road and back. After returning, each member went their separate way, with the victim taking the Bana oil road. She did not return to the church, and her body was later found by a passerby."

Police say there were signs of struggle about three metres from where the body was found , adding investigations have kicked off with an aim of arresting the assailants.

Onyango noted the body has been taken to Mulago City mortuary for postmortem examination.