Jinja, Uganda: Residents of Mawaito village in Kayiiya Parish, Kagoma Town Council in Jinja District, have lashed out at police for repeatedly shielding a suspected witch doctor linked to grave exhumation cases, following yet another disturbing incident involving a 15-year-old burial site.
The accusations emerged after the grave of the late Nfwodho Daniel, who was buried over a decade ago, was reportedly exhumed under unclear circumstances. A police sniffer dog deployed from Buwenge Central Police Station (CPS) reportedly traced the suspect to the home of a local witchdoctor identified as Zubairi.
Angry residents claim this is the fourth time Zubairi has been implicated in similar incidents, raising concerns about alleged police inaction and possible interference with justice.
“They always arrest him, but he spends a short time in custody and is released. This is the fourth time he is being accused. We believe he gives them money to bond him out, leaving the affected families in grief,” one resident alleged.
Locals questioned the handling of previous cases, saying there has been no transparency from police regarding investigations or prosecutions linked to grave exhumation in the area.
They are now calling on higher authorities to intervene, warning that the vice is escalating and threatening community trust and cultural values.
Kayiiya Parish female councillor, Ms Nabirye Irene Kirye, confirmed that the exhumed body was traced from Kayiira village to Zubairi’s shrine in Mawaito using a sniffer dog.
“We ask the police to arrest Zubairi and prosecute him. He should explain why he interferes with the peace of the dead. This time, we want justice to prevail,” she said.
Buwenge CPS Officer in Charge, Zachariah Kiberu, confirmed the incident and said police had launched a manhunt for the suspect, who reportedly fled as officers approached his home.
“As we approached his home, he took off, but we assure you that we are hunting for him. Once arrested, he will be charged with interfering with the peace of the dead,” Kiberu said.
He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing investigations, noting that inquiries are underway to establish the extent of the alleged grave exhumation cases in the area.
The incident sparked anger among residents, with some attempting to destroy the suspect’s house and shrine before police intervened to prevent violence.
Authorities have since cautioned the public against taking the law into their own hands, warning that mob actions could escalate into further insecurity.
The case highlights growing concern over grave desecration in parts of eastern Uganda, often linked to witchcraft-related practices and ritual beliefs.
According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2025, cases involving ritual-related crimes and abuse of human remains, though not among the most reported categories, continue to pose a serious threat to community safety and cultural dignity, particularly in rural areas.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Kiira Regional Police spokesperson SP James Mubi were unsuccessful by press time.
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