The Kampala Metropolitan North Police is baffled by a series of child sacrifice cases in Kizingiza and Kabaganda zones in Kiteezi parish in Kasangati Town council-Wakiso district. At least four young girls aged 6-10 have been killed similarly since January this year according to the community.
The modus operandi involves kidnapping, defiling, and strangulation using the victims’ clothing before their bodies are disposed of in nearby bushes. For nine months, police have been searching for the masterminds of the gruesome murders suspected to be linked to ritual sacrifice.
Despite their efforts, no significant progress has been made in apprehending the assailants. This has left the residents who are concerned and unhappy with the slow pace and energy put in by the Police. Families of victims, like Fahiya Nampija,10, and Jolyin Namatovu, 08, have expressed disappointment with the police’s handling of the cases.
]Nampijja’s father, Ibrahim Kakooza, recounted the tragic events surrounding his daughter’s disappearance and murder. On February 18th, 2024, Fahiya was abducted while en route to the mosque around 8:00 am. Her lifeless body was discovered just meters from their home.
Kakooza expressed frustration and disappointment with the way Kawempe Police Division has handled the case. Despite seeking assistance to review security footage near the crime scene, officers refused, citing bureaucratic protocols.
“I initially reported the incident at Kiteezi Police Post and was directed to Kawempe Police Division. However, upon arrival, officers claimed they couldn’t access the cameras until Kasangati Regional Police forwarded the case file. This hindered our efforts to trace the assailants who killed my daughter,” Kakooza said.
Kakooza’s experience highlights concerns about the effectiveness and responsiveness of law enforcement in investigating crimes, particularly those involving vulnerable individuals.
He faced further obstacles in his quest for justice. Despite his frustration, he sought alternative help at the Naguru Camera command center in vain. “A friend suggested I contact Naguru Camera Command Center for assistance. However, they redirected me to Kawempe Police, advising me to follow the established protocol,” Kakooza noted.
Edith Nansubuga, the distraught grandmother of Jolyin Namatovu, also recounted the horrific events surrounding her granddaughter’s murder last week. Namatovu was abducted a few steps from their home, and her lifeless body was discovered in a nearby bush.
Hasan Sempala, the area defense secretary, expressed concern over a series of gruesome murders suspected to be linked to human sacrifice. Since January, five incidents have been reported, including one where a girl was rescued by residents but left her injured and traumatized to the point of silence. “We’ve had five such cases, yet the police haven’t provided any updates on the perpetrators or their motives,” Sempala noted.
“The community is frustrated and fearful, demanding justice and accountability of our children,”Sempala noted. The Kampala Metropolitan North Regional Police Commander, Moses Nanoka, has apologized to the families of the victims for initial delays in police response to the recent murders.
He acknowledged the challenges, citing his new appointment to the region, but assured the affected residents that a specialized team is working tirelessly to uncover the perpetrators and their motives. Nanoka expressed determination to dismantle the criminal network behind these heinous crimes:
“The task is not easy, but we’re doing everything possible… We’ve reached somewhere in investigations, and soon we’ll make a breakthrough.” Nanoka said while meeting the distressed residents. A 2022 World Vision report revealed Uganda as one of Africa’s hotspots for child sacrifice, fueled by the false notion that human sacrifice grants spiritual powers and instant wealth.