Authorities in Bukomansimbi District have stepped up efforts to uncover the truth behind a string of disturbing killings in Bukango Sub-county, following confessions by suspects allegedly involved in the crimes.
At least four people, mostly women, have reportedly been murdered over the past year in what appear to be ritual-style killings, while several others remain missing under mysterious circumstances, heightening fear among local residents.
On Friday, police moved four detained suspects from Bukomansimbi Police Station to multiple locations believed to be crime scenes.
The operation was overseen by Bukomansimbi District Police Commander, Aggrey Francis Kyesimira.
The suspects—Robert Kimbugwe, Godfrey Mugabi, Julius Agaba, and Moses Kabogere—are all residents of Bukango Sub-county.
They are accused of murdering several women, including Hadijah Nalugira of Kyaterekera, Aisha Namirembe, and Moreen Nakintu Kizza.
According to Moses Kabogere, one of the suspects, the killing of Aisha Namirembe occurred on October 29 at approximately 8pm.
He alleged that a Tipper truck driven by Kimbugwe arrived at the scene, where two men forced Namirembe into the vehicle and took her to a nearby garden where she was murdered.
The confession led police to search Kimbugwe’s residence, where officers recovered women’s clothing, mobile phones, knives, and other items suspected to be linked to the killings.
Kabogere also implicated traditional healer Godfrey Mugabi, claiming that Mugabi would extract blood from the victims and take it to his shrine for ritual sacrifices.
During a search of Mugabi’s home, police reportedly recovered white garments suspected to have been used in ritual practices, along with various ritual tools.
The suspects also led authorities to locations where they had buried clothing belonging to some of the victims.
In a separate incident, a woman’s body was allegedly disposed of in a dam in Kyanamirira.
Residents of Bukango Sub-county told police that the pattern of the killings suggested ritual motives, citing similarities across the incidents.
In response, police convened a community meeting in Kyaterekera, informing locals that, according to the suspects’ confessions, the killings were carried out to acquire wealth.
Authorities also warned the public against engaging in criminal or ritual practices.
DPC Kyesimira assured the community that police would take firm action against all perpetrators of ritual-related crimes and urged residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
Bukomansimbi District has a history of unusual and deadly attacks. Residents recall machete killings in 2016 and 2021, which claimed the lives of children, women, and men, underscoring ongoing security concerns in the area.
Police investigations are ongoing, with authorities calling for community cooperation to help prevent further incidents.
