Sheema money lender arrested over murder of two-year-old girl for child sacrifice rituals

Police in Sheema has arrested a prominent farmer and businessman identified as Joseph Kamugisha suspected to be behind the disappearance and murder of a two-year-old Christable Kemigisha.

Kemigisha dissapeared on July 18, 2022 at Mutanoga cell, Kigarama sub-county in the Sheema district and her body later found dumped at the home of a neighbour identified only as Constance Tumusiime.

Last week, with the help of canine dogs, police detectives recovered exhibits including a hoe and clothes stained with blood in the house of Justus Byamukama, who was also arrested by police to help in investigations.

Now, according to police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, it has been discovered that the motive behind disappearance and murder of Kemigisha was for ritualistic sacrifice.

This according to Enanga comes after the first main suspect Byabakama admitted to kidnapping the victim, from her grandfather’s home.

“In conspiracy with Tumwesigye Clinton alias Musajja, they cut the victims throat and collected blood and thereafter, and dumped the victim’s body in front of Constance’s home, a neighbour and resident of the same village,” Enanga said.

Byabakama further admitted that they had been sent for the deceased’s blood by a rich man.

Enanga added that after the arrest of Musajja, police established that he was in touch with Joseph Kamugisha, the businessman who deals in money lending, on the night that the victim was murdered.

Enanga condemned the murder and fear the victim endured at the time of the brutal murder, which he says was unbearable for her age.

He further called for profiling of all business persons in the communities, with police authorities. This, he says, will help in curbing child sacrifice activities.

“We also call upon the business community to come up with stronger measures of profiling and auditing the activities of all business persons in coordination with our intelligence components of CI, ISO, and CMI to help weed out brutal persons, who take advantage of young juveniles, in search of wealth and prosperity,” Enanga urged.

He vowed that police will continue to monitor the progress of the case, to seek justice for the victim and her family.

Enanga also asked parents and guardians to always be extra alert while protecting children.

“The victim was kidnapped from her grandfather’s home, without the knowledge of anyone and yet such threats against children are on the increase.” he said.