Fear has gripped Lunyerere village in Kamengo, Mpigi District after police recovered more than eight human remains inside the home of a man who had been posing as a traditional healer.
The discovery of skulls, decomposing bones, fetishes and blood-stained items has left residents in shock.
Police have arrested and detained Ivan Muwanga, a 39-year-old resident, on allegations of kidnapping, disappearance of children and ritual murders linked to his home and shrines in the area.
His arrest followed an operation by Mpigi Police after the mutilated body of 12-year-old Proscovia Nassazi was found dumped, with her hands, legs and head cut off.
The killing prompted a search at Muwanga’s residence, where officers exhumed two bodies. One was dressed in a suit while another was wrapped in unidentified materials, and both were missing their heads.
Further searches inside shrines around the home yielded shocking items, including a child’s hands believed to belong to Nassazi, other decomposing body parts wrapped in sacks, six human skulls in varying states of decay, teeth, blood-stained ritual tools and materials believed to have been used in killings.
Police also recovered weapons and containers suspected to have been used to store human blood.
Residents said they were stunned by the revelations, noting that Muwanga was born and raised in the area and was widely known only for brewing local gin and selling herbal medicine.
“We are shocked. Muwanga was born here. We thought he was only dealing in local gin and herbal medicine. We want the law to take its course but we also wanted to deal with him ourselves,” residents said.
A distressed mother, Teopisita Nasolo, said her three missing children, Nakityo Regina, Senyonjo Isima and Betty Nabuyungo, may also have fallen victim.
“Please help me. My three children disappeared. Someone told us they were taken to a certain home, but when we went there, we never saw them again. We are tired. It looks like Ivan is the one who took my children,” she cried.
Mpigi Deputy RDC Saad Mwanje blamed the situation on laxity among local leaders who failed to monitor activities in the community.
He said a crackdown will be conducted on all traditional healers operating in Kamengo.
Police condemned the killings and confirmed the recovery of human remains and Muwanga’s arrest.
“Today, a search has been conducted in Lunyerere, Kamengo. Two bodies have been exhumed, more than six skulls and suspected human bones recovered," said Katonga Region Police spokesperson Lydia Tumushabe.
"All remains have been taken to Mulago City Mortuary for further examination. We call upon all people with missing relatives to come forward and assist with investigations."