Man arrested for killing wife, brother in suspected ritual sacrifice

Kasese, (UG): The Territorial Police in Rwenzori East Region are holding a man for the alleged murder of his wife, and his biological brother in a suspected ritual sacrifice in Kasese District, western Uganda.

The shocking incident is believed to have happened at the beginning of the year 2023 at Mukunyu Trading Centre, in Bwera, Kasese district according to preliminary police findings.

It is alleged that the suspect identified as Muhindo Jackson a witch doctor had stayed with the victim for 10 years in an abusive relationship as husband and wife before the latter went missing under mysterious circumstances.

According to Police Spokesperson, Mr Fred Enanga, during the month of September 2023, the victim’s relatives piled pressure on the suspect, to reveal the whereabouts of their sister and daughter but he kept raising excuses. The matter was reported to Bwera Police Station and the suspect was arrested.

“Upon interrogation, he admitted to killing his wife, Biira Mary, a 40-year-old, peasant of Mukuuyu Trading Centre, in January 2023 and thereafter, secretly buried her body,” Enanga told journalists during a security briefing at Naguru police headquarters on Monday.

Enanga explains that during the exhumation of the wife’s body, “it was established that the suspect also murdered his biological brother Kabutusi Jolesi, in July 2023, and secretly buried the body, in Kyabikere 1 village, Kanyasi town council, Kasese district.”

Further investigations revealed that Muhindo who is believed to have been practising witchcraft had no children with his now-dead wife, and was highly dreaded by the community due to his wickedness.

“We do strongly condemn such acts of violence, and brutality within domestic settings. The arrest of the notorious killer shows our determination to fight violent crime. Investigations continue to establish if any other innocent persons were victimised by the suspect,” Enanga said.