By Kenneth Wamatoyi
JINJA CITY
A self-proclaimed witchdoctor and colleague has been arrested in connection with a suspected ritual sacrifice and child trafficking of his 13-year-old son in Jinja City. The duo was arrested on Thursday, 17th April, 2025.
The victim, identified as Hassan Nabikamba, was a pupil at Jinja Twins and Nursery Primary School, located in Buwagi Central Cell, Buwagi Ward, Northern Division, Jinja City.
He was the son of Umaru Kiganda, 34, also known as Muledu Michael Kiti, a resident of Namusiisi Village, Nawandala Sub-County in Iganga District. The boy’s mother is Sylvia Alaso.
In March 2025, Hassan, who was staying with his aunt at the time, went to school as usual but never returned home. Concerned by his disappearance, his mother reported the case at Budondo Police Station.
The Regional CID Officer, SSP Dr. Monday Johnson Agaba, ordered an expeditious, prosecution-guided investigation into the case.
Credible information gathered during the investigation points to a chilling story.
The child was allegedly murdered by his biological father, Umaru Kiganda, along with accomplices, in a suspected ritual sacrifice intended to gain wealth and supernatural power, with aspirations of becoming the most powerful witchdoctors in East and Central Africa.
Following the incident, Kiganda went into hiding but was later tracked down. A search at his residence in Nawandala Sub-County led to the recovery of key evidence, including a pair of black trousers the victim was wearing on the last day he attended school.
The second suspect arrested is Zeda Kanakulya, 48, also a witch doctor, based in Kyomya East Cell, Buwagi Ward, Northern Division, Jinja City. Authorities say additional suspects are still at large, and efforts are underway to apprehend them. Available evidence links both suspects directly to the crime.
Dr. Agaba emphasized that justice for the innocent and vulnerable child will prevail, referring to the successful prosecution of a previous ritual sacrifice case in Kakira Town Council. In that case, Isabella Trinity Nakisuyi Nabirye, a four-year-old girl, was brutally murdered in September 2021 by self-styled pastor Joseph Sserubiri of Deliverance and Healing Ministries Kakira, along with his girlfriend Felista Namaganda.
That case culminated in August 2023 with Justice Dr. Winfred Nabisinde sentencing the pair to life imprisonment for ritual sacrifice and 30 years for child trafficking. They are currently serving their sentences at Kirinya Prisons.
In response to the latest incident, SP James Mubi, the Kiira Regional Police spokesperson, confirmed in an interview on Friday morning, April 18, 2024, that RPC Kiira, SSP Charles Nsaba, has formed a joint security team to profile and audit all witch doctors operating in the region, with the aim of eliminating criminal elements hiding behind traditional practices.
Authorities have also reminded the public that ritual sacrifices are strictly condemned in the Bible and other holy books, which uphold the sanctity of human life. Such acts not only violate religious doctrine but also fundamental human rights, including the right to life and the protection from cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
