Police in Bukomansimbi District have launched a renewed operation to uncover the truth behind a disturbing string of killings in Bukango Sub-county, following revelations by suspects who allegedly participated in the crimes.
Authorities say at least four people,mostly women, were murdered over the past year in what appear to be ritual-style killings. Several others went missing under mysterious circumstances and have never been found, raising growing fear among residents.
On Friday, police moved four detained suspects from Bukomansimbi Police Station and took them to various locations believed to be crime scenes. The operation was supervised by the Bukomansimbi District Police Commander, Aggrey Francis Kyesimira.
The suspects, Robert Kimbugwe, Godfrey Mugabi, Julius Agaba, and Moses Kabogere, are all residents of Bukango and are accused of murdering several women, including Hadijah Nalugira of Kyaterekera, Aisha Namirembe, and Moreen Nakintu Kizza, among others.
According to Kabogere, one of the suspects, the killing of Aisha Namirembe took place on October 29 at around 8pm. He alleged that a Tipper truck driven by its owner, Kimbugwe, arrived in the area, and two men jumped out, seized Namirembe, and forced her into the vehicle before taking her to a nearby garden where she was killed.
His confession led police to search Kimbugwe’s home, where officers recovered women’s clothes, mobile phones, knives, and other items believed to be linked to the killings.
Kabogere further claimed that traditional healer Godfrey Mugabi played a role in the crimes.
‘We would place the body on a black polythene sheet, after which Mugabi would extract the blood and take it to his shrine for ritual sacrifices,’ Kabogere revealed.
During a search at Mugabi’s home, police reportedly recovered white garments suspected to be used in ritual practices along with various ritual tools.
The suspects also led police to different spots where they had buried clothing belonging to some of the victims. In another instance, a woman’s body was allegedly dumped in a dam in Kyanamirira, adding to the growing list of unexplained deaths.
Residents told police that the pattern of the killings strongly suggested ritual motives, given their similarities.
Following the revelations, police convened a community meeting at Kyaterekera in Bukango Sub-county. Officers informed locals that, according to the suspects’ accounts, the killings were carried out to acquire wealth, and warned residents against engaging in such criminal 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 refrain from mob justice.
Bukomansimbi has long been associated with unusual and deadly attacks. Residents recall that the machete killings of 2016 and 2021 also started in this district, claiming the lives of children, women, and men over time.