Luuka, Uganda: The Grade One Magistrate’s Court in Iganga has remanded to prison a traditional healer and his wife over the alleged kidnapping and ritual killing of a five-year-old girl in Bulanga Town Council, Luuka District.
Magistrate Ali Tibenkana on Monday remanded Musa Kyeese, a self-proclaimed witch doctor, and his wife Rebecca Nambi, to Iganga Government Prison until March 17 for further mention of the case.
The deceased, Sarah Namutebi, 5, daughter of Baker Musota, was found lifeless in a swamp in the Estate Zone of Bulanga Town Council on January 14. Residents alerted Bulanga Police, who later sought reinforcement from officers at Kiyunga Central Police Station.
According to residents, a joint search was launched after the child was reported missing. The search reportedly led to the recovery of bloodstained exhibits from Kyeese’s shrine, prompting his arrest alongside his wife.
Before police intervened, angry locals allegedly attempted to lynch the suspects, accusing them of involvement in ritual sacrifice. Security forces, backed by the army, swiftly responded to disperse the crowd and rescue the suspects from mob justice.
Baker Musota, the father of the deceased, has since appealed to authorities to ensure transparency in investigations, expressing fears that the case could be sabotaged.
“We ask authorities to intervene in this matter because it is like they are playing with this case. The child got lost when I wasn’t around because she has been living with my mother, but I got information when I returned from Jinja where I work. Some suspects were released by the Kiyunga police investigating officer,” Musota said.
Relatives of the deceased claim they became suspicious after spotting two men emerging from the witch doctor’s home carrying a bag as residents rushed toward the swamp where the child’s body had been discovered. One suspect was reportedly apprehended by locals and handed over to Bulanga Police before being transferred to Kiyunga Police, where he was allegedly released shortly after.
The family has also raised concerns about alleged intimidation and called upon security agencies to ensure justice is served without interference.
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