Police in Bukomansimbi District have detained seven individuals suspected of involvement in ritual killings targeting women. Their arrest, carried out by operatives from the Police Flying Squad, follows four murder cases reported in Bukango Sub-county over a span of nine days.

Among those apprehended are Godfrey Mugabi, a traditional healer, together with Moses Kabogere, Robert Kimbugwe Ssalongo, Julius Agaba, Onsesmus Muramuzi, Henry Ssekate, and George Ssegirinya, all residents of the district.

According to Twaha Kasirye, the Greater Masaka Regional Police Spokesperson, investigators acted on evidence tying the group to a pattern of ritual murders. He notes that the suspects are linked to the mysterious disappearances of Aisha Namirembe, Hadidja Nalungira, Maurine Nakintu, and Mariam Mugufuli, who all went missing within a month. Kasirye explains that police obtained leads that led them to human remains discovered inside Mugabi’s shrine in Migaaju Village. He says initial findings point to “collaborative ritual murders” driven by the quest for wealth.

Community leaders say the crimes have reignited long-standing fears. George William Ssebuuma, the Bukango Sub-county Chairperson, reports that residents were already alarmed because of past similar incidents in the area. He recounts the most recent case, in which Hadidja Nalungira disappeared and was later found dead in a community dam four days after being reported missing. Ssebuuma states that the attackers had been removing certain body parts from victims, allegedly for superstitious purposes.

Local residents are urging deeper investigations. Rogers Muweesi of Kyanaamirira Village—where some of the recovered remains were discovered—has called on the police to broaden their inquiries, arguing that the crimes may involve a larger network operating outside Bukomansimbi. He claims that other suspicious disappearances have occurred in nearby sub-counties in Sembabule and Kalungu, suggesting the suspects may operate additional shrines used for witchcraft practices.