Police have arrested a witchdoctor in connection with the killing of two children in  Kapeke Sub-County, Kiboga District, Uganda on April 4, 2024.

The witchdoctor was arrested by Crime Intelligence Operatives, who also arrested two other suspects in relation to the beheading of two children in ritual sacrifice.

“Operatives tracked Sulaiman Sentongo, a witchdoctor, via phone and apprehended him in Kireka, Kampala, on the night of April 5, 2024, along with his associate Namuleme Maureen, who allegedly provided him with transport to flee the scene on April 4, 2024,” police noted in a statement. 

Apart from the witchdoctor, police confirmed the arrest of Sulaiman Sentongo, 32 years old, a resident of Kirinda village, Kasega parish, Kapeke sub-county in Kiboga district, and Namuleme Maureen, 41 years old, a resident of Kisingiri cell, Namiremebe Bakuli ward, Rubaga division, Kampala.

The suspects are currently detained at Kiboga CPS for interrogation, bringing the total number of arrests to three.

“Preliminary findings suggest that on April 3, 2024, at 10:00 PM, two children, Nantongo Sylvia (female, 5 years old) and Nakasumba Esther (female, 2 years old), were reported missing. 

“Unfortunately, their torsos were discovered on April 4, 2024, in Kirinda village, Kasega parish, Kapeke sub-county, leading investigators to the home of witch doctor Sulaiman Sentongo, who is currently in custody,” read part of the police report.

As a result of the unfortunate incident, Kiboga Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Ms Mariam Nalubega Sseguya on April 5, 2024 ordered for an identification programme aimed at registering all genuine traditional healers in the district.

Ms Nalubega noted that if well conducted, the exercise will help weed out quacks who have over the years infiltrated the traditional healers’ business.

“Many wrong elements are masquerading as traditional healers to achieve their ill intentions which has tarnished the name of herbalists in the country. 

“We are going to have this census to weed out all fake traditional healers who are engaging in criminal activities,” she said.

She made the remarks during a security meeting that was attended by internal security officers at all levels, village chairpersons and religious leaders at Kirinda Village in Kiboga District.