Killing of Matthew Kitandwe

On 21 June 2016, Matthew Kitandwe, an 18-year-old British-Ugandan, was murdered outside his home in Wayford Street, Battersea, London. He was stabbed to death as he returned from college, reportedly attacked as he was putting his key into the front door of his flat just before 4:15pm. London Ambulance Service paramedics attempted to save his life, but he died in the arms of his mother.

Kitandwe lived in the Battersea area of South London and was described as a "promising young footballer." He had played for the Uganda national under-17 football team, including at the 2015 Africa Youth Qualifiers, and had recently been signed to play for Colliers Wood United F.C. At the time of his death, he was studying at South Thames College and attended Sacred Heart Church, Battersea, where he had previously served as an altar boy. His mother had moved to London after his brother was killed in a car accident in Uganda.

Several people were initially arrested in connection with the murder but were later released with no further action. A year after the killing, police had not established a motive and found no evidence linking Kitandwe to gangs or criminal behaviour. Detective Chief Inspector Sam Price told the London Evening Standard that the attack "appears to have been a senseless attack on a young man" and that "Matthew's family has been left devastated." Police sought to trace an unknown group of black men seen around 11am on the day of the murder in a silver car on Wayford Street.

The killing drew media attention in Uganda. Tributes were paid to Kitandwe by local figures including priests and coaches. His cousin, Wilber Kabugo, appealed to young people to "stop this madness because if you take someone's life it's not reversed." A vigil was held for him in Busega, a neighbourhood of Kampala, and he was buried at his family's burial grounds in Nabbingo, Uganda.

The case remains unsolved. Crimestoppers, an independent charity, has offered a reward of up to £10,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.