Uganda: Three arrested over attempted ritual murder

Masaka.

Police in Masaka District have arrested three people, including a traditional healer over alleged conspiracy to murder a 13-year-old girl in ritual sacrifice. District police commander John Chrysostom Mwaule said the suspects were arrested on Monday night during a police operation in Buwunga after the victim’s parents failed to trace her.

Her father Capt Abdukarim Mwangwe said when the search intensified, they heard the girl making noise in the neighbour’s home. “We quickly rushed to the house where a loud cry was coming from only to find one of the suspects trying to escape,” Mr Mwangwe said.

According to eyewitnesses, the suspect was arrested and he mentioned a colleague who was found hiding in a nearby house.

The two suspects were taken to Buwunga police post. Police said they admitted they were intending to kill the girl for ritual sacrifice and remove her private parts which they would take to the traditional healer who would in turn give them powers to acquire wealth.

“The traditional healer asked me to bring private parts of a virgin girl before I get the fortunes of wealth,” the main suspect told police adding he had gone to seek for wealth because he has been working for long without getting rich.

On Tuesday morning, police headed by the district CIID boss, Mr Frank Ntankovu, arrested the healer to explain the allegations.

Source: Daily Monitor (09/01/2015)