South Africa, Limpopo Province: two traditional healers face murder charges after skulls are discovered

Posted on August 9, 2025 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

This is not the first time I report a muti murder in Limpopo Province. See my posts dated June 10, 2024, South Africa: superstition in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province – ‘vampire’ who attacks old lady killed by angry mob; January 19, 2024, Limpopo province, South Africa: 18-year-old teenager murdered, body parts missing, sangoma arrested; June 1, 2023, South Africa: Limpopo courts to hear several cases including the 2006 muti murder of Ronnie Makgatho, and November 22, 2022, Limpopo, South Africa: a ritual killer on the loose? Also in 2020 and 2019 (NB: I started this website in 2018).

Thohoyandou, located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, is the administrative centre of Vhembe District Municipality and Thulamela Local Municipality. It is also known for being the former capital of the bantustan of Venda (source: Wikipedia).

The authorities are to be commended for their swift action. Also the president of the Vhembe Traditional Healers Association, Mr Mbulaheni Neluvhola, condemned the use of human body parts in traditional practices.
(FVDK)

Two traditional healers face murder charges after skulls are discovered

The president of the Vhembe Traditional Help Healers Association, Mr Mbulaheni Neluvhola (standing, third from left) is flanked by traditional healers and members of the Muronga family outside the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Monday evening. *Victor Mukwevho Ne-vumbani.*

Published: August 8, 2025
By: Victor Mukwevho – Limpopo Mirror, South Africa

In an unusual late-afternoon sitting, two traditional healers appeared in the Thohoyandou High Court at 17:45 on Monday, facing serious charges, including murder.

Humbulani Munzhelele (55) and Mpho Nefale (38) are charged with two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, one count of conspiracy to commit murder, and one count of possession of human tissue after they were allegedly found in possession of two human skulls.

The court proceedings were delayed after one of the co-accused, Mpho Given Nefale, made a confession that lasted from 14:00 to 17:30.

The two accused joined their co-suspects, Tshilidzi Phalandwa (43) and Balangani Sedzani Tshivhombedze (32), who had appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court last Friday (1 August).

The case relates to the disappearance of two individuals from Malavuwe Village — Rendani Tshigwili and her two-year-old daughter — who were last seen in May this year on their way to the shops in Thohoyandou. Their disappearance was reported to the Thohoyandou Police Station, prompting an immediate investigation.

On Wednesday, 30 July, investigators acting on a credible lead discovered the bodies of both mother and daughter. Two suspects were arrested shortly afterwards in connection with the gruesome crime.

A joint operation by the Vhembe District investigative team and the provincial task force on missing persons later led officers to Hlabeni Block F, within the Saselamani policing area, where a 55-year-old suspect was apprehended.

Further investigation took the police to the home of a 38-year-old traditional healer in Muraga Village, in the Thohoyandou policing precinct, where the suspect was allegedly found in possession of the missing heads of the two victims.

Mr Mbulungeni Muronga (32), husband of the late Rendani Tshigwili and father of their three children, described his devastation upon learning of the murders. He said he was in shock and overwhelmed with grief. “I feel like a dead man walking. I am still in very serious pain and don’t even know how I will be able to look at the remains of my family while preparing for the funeral. My only hope now is for the justice system to do its job,” he said.

He confirmed that one of the suspects was his neighbour and expressed disbelief and deep hurt that someone living so close could allegedly commit such a brutal crime.

Muronga said he had three children — two daughters and a son — including the two-year-old who was killed. Regarding the other two children, he explained that the family had initially withheld the tragic news, but had later brought in social workers from the Malavuwe Clinic to help manage the situation.

“Things are very tough on my side. Social workers are the only people keeping me going,” he added softly.

When asked about rumours that the main suspect had been romantically involved with his late wife, Muronga said: “That’s what people are saying, but I don’t believe in hearsay. I have no evidence of such an affair, and I leave it there — as rumours.”

Mr Mbulaheni Neluvhola, president of the Vhembe Traditional Healers Association, attended the court proceedings in support of the victims’ families. He condemned the use of human body parts in traditional practices.

“Our ancestors show us herbs and direct us to them in our dreams to heal people. It is a myth that human tissues are used for healing. We are calling on all traditional healers to stop killing people for ritual purposes. Human tissues do not heal people,” he said. “As the leadership of traditional healers in the Vhembe District, we are calling on law enforcement to leave no stone unturned in tackling gender-based violence and ritual (muti) murders. Lock up the perpetrators in jail and throw the key into the sea.”

Source: Two traditional healers face murder charges after skulls are discovered

Child killings including ritual murder in Cameroon (2022-2025)

Posted on May 15, 2025 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

Cameroon isn’t often in the news with respect to ritualistic killings. As a mainly Francophone country, it escapes my daily search for Internet news about ritual killings in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, this does not mean that the country is an exception in SSA.

Almost by accident I stumbled upon a suspected case of ritual murder and another case of a child beaten to death after being accused of witchcraft. Horrible cases, senseless killings.

Both incidents happened in 2023 as the following report shows.

The article ends with a cry for justice, condemning the present situation of silence becoming the norm in this Central African country.
(webmaster FVDK)

A nation in mourning – innocent lives lost to senseless violence

Published: May 14, 2025
By: Cameroon Concord

(…)

From urban centres like Douala and Yaoundé to towns like Sangmélima and Bamenda, child killings have become a recurring and underreported national crisis.

Chronology of Recent Child Murders in Cameroon (2022–2025)

Date	Name / Age	Location	Summary
Nov 2022	Baby Bisong, 4 mo.	Buea	Killed by a stray bullet during military patrol in Molyko.
Jan 2023	Ariane, 6	Yaoundé	Allegedly beaten to death by her aunt, accused of witchcraft.
Mar 2023	Baby Divine, 7 mo.	Bamenda	Shot during military raid. Claimed to be collateral.
Aug 2023	Unnamed, 8	Kribi	Found mutilated on the beach. Suspected ritual murder.
Oct 2023	Baby Chantal, 2	Douala	Murdered by domestic worker. Arrest made.
May 2025	Mathis, 6	Yaoundé	Stabbed by neighbour in revenge killing.
May 2025	Unnamed, 2	Sangmélima	Found dead in water. Authorities refused to open an investigation.

Each case bears a similar theme: impunity, silence, and failing institutions. Whether by bullet, blade, or beatings, children are paying the ultimate price in a country where violence festers unchecked.

(…)

Cameroonians are asking hard questions:

Why are more disputes ending in bloodshed?
Why does poverty, anger, and hopelessness often turn inward — toward the most vulnerable?
Why do authorities fail to act, even when evidence and outcry are overwhelming?

From ritual killings, domestic abuse, military violence, to mob justice, a terrifying normalization of brutality is taking hold.

“Le crime devient une norme silencieuse. La peur habite les esprits. L’indifférence gagne les cœurs.”

Translation:

“Crime becomes a silent norm. Fear inhabits our minds. Indifference wins our hearts.”

Source: A Nation in Mourning

South African horror: boy’s dismembered body found after alleged sale by parents

Posted on May 5, 2025 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

A horror story in South Africa. Reportedly, a small boy was sold by his parents and his dismembered body found a few days later. Immediately a ‘muti’ murder was suspected, a child sacrifice, a murder for ritualistic motives. Too gruesome to imagine. Southern Africa including the RSA is notorious for its muti killings even while not all cases are detected and not all detected cases are recorded.

There is certainly a link between poverty and child trafficking; the suspected combination with superstition was deadly in this case. The authorities fortunately acted quickly and arrested two suspects, the mother of the little victim and her boyfriend. According to the police, the suspects sold the child for for12,000 rand (about US$ 655 or a little less than € 600).

However, the well-known saying applies here: ‘prevention is better than cure’.
The one-million-dollar-question is: how?

Will the eradication of poverty be the problem-solving solution? Or is more needed? After all, not all ritual murderers are poverty-stricken criminals….
(Webmaster FVDK)

South African horror: boy’s dismembered body found after alleged sale by parents

Published: May 4, 2025
By: Nigerian Bulletin

A disturbing case has shaken South Africa: a 3-year-old boy was reportedly sold for ritual purposes by his mother and her boyfriend. His dismembered remains were discovered days later, igniting national outrage.

KEY POINTS:

Gruesome Discovery: The boy went missing on April 23. Authorities later found his body dismembered, suggesting he was killed for ritualistic purposes.
Family Betrayal: Police allege the child was sold by his mother and her boyfriend for 12,000 rand (about ₦950,000).
Public Shock: The case has horrified communities and drawn attention to the link between poverty, belief in rituals, and child endangerment.
Swift Arrests: Both suspects were quickly taken into custody and now face charges of murder and human trafficking.
Larger Pattern: The incident sheds light on an ongoing crisis — ritual killings and child trafficking continue to plague parts of the continent.

The horror isn’t just in the killing – it’s in the betrayal. Many are struggling with the idea that a mother could willingly sacrifice her child. It’s a sobering reflection of how desperation and superstition can corrode moral foundations.

As legal proceedings begin, South Africans are asking: What will it take to end the cycle of ritual killings? Can justice extend beyond punishment to prevention?

Source: South African Horror: Boy’s Dismembered Body Found After Alleged Sale by Parents

Important study explores ritual murders of children in Ghana and Kenya, identifies perpetrators and their motivation

Posted on April 17, 2025 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

There are not many in-depth studies of the phenomenon of ritual murders and even less of the killing of children for ritualistic purposes. The article below discusses the ritual murder of children in Ghana and Kenya, examines who the perpetrators are and why they came to their crime.

The study by Emmanuel Sarpong Owusu is a must read. The author is to be commended for a serious and interesting study.

Interestingly, a number of the author’s findings and conclusions – based on online news reports in eight media outlets in Ghana and Kenya and on interviews with 28 experts – are consistent with my experiences after years of studying ritual killings in Sub-Saharan Africa. In particular I wish to mention here the main factors driving the motivation of the majority of the ritual murderers: superstition, greed and illiteracy, whereas the for various reasons failing reaction of authorities and the resulting lack of rule of law facilitate the impunity and the continuity of the cruel and outdated phenomenon.

According to the study, in Ghana, the media reported at least 160 ritual murders between 2012 and 2021. Of this number, 94 (about 58.8%) were children. Of the 102 ritual murders in Kenya in the study period (2012-2021), 66 (64.7%) were children.

I refer to the study below for more details. Please note that, unfortunately, three links in the original article seem to be incorrect: (i) ‘juju in Ghana’ leads to general information on juju (link should be placed under ‘juju’); (ii) ‘juju in Kenya’ leads to nowhere; (iii) reference to members of occult sects leads to ‘juju in Kenya’.
(webmaster FVDK).

Ritual murder of children: study in Ghana and Kenya explores who’s doing it and why

Published: April 15, 2025
By: Emmanuel Sarpong Owusu – The Conversation, UK

Superstition, an irrational belief in paranormal influences or a false attribution of events, is an age-old phenomenon found in probably all human societies or cultures. It encompasses a wide range of beliefs, practices and behaviours. Some of these have harmful or even deadly consequences.

In many African communities, there are widespread beliefs relating to the use of human body parts for traditional healing rituals. Human body parts and blood are said to enhance the potency of traditional medicines and rituals that supposedly guarantee wealth, business success, fertility, protection and longevity, among others.

Ritual killings, including those of children, are reported regularly around Africa. A case in point is the targeting of children with albinism for ritual purposes in Tanzania. One research report says one in five people in Mozambique and one in four people in South Africa believe that rituals and traditional medicines made with human body parts are more potent and effective than those using nonhuman objects.

Children are particularly targeted for killing because they can’t repel attacks, and because of beliefs about the potency of their body parts. The victims in more than half of all the ritual murders reported in Ghana and Kenya in 2022 were children.

I am a legal scholar with years of research on superstition-driven crimes against vulnerable groups in African settings and the criminal justice response to such crimes. In a recent study I explored the magnitude, characteristics and motivations, as well as the socio-cultural and economic contexts, of ritual child murder in Ghana and Kenya. My study was carried out through in-depth analysis of news reports of ritual murders for a period of 10 years, coupled with semi-structured interviews with academics and other experts.

I found that the major factors contributing to the persistence of ritual child murders were superstition, economic hardship, illiteracy and inefficient criminal justice systems. A new consumerist ethos also plays a role: wanting a life of luxury and the admiration that comes with it.

The study seeks to enhance awareness of the ritual child murder phenomenon and encourage support for the enforcement of child rights protection laws. When policymakers know more about the scale and circumstances of ritual child murders, they are better equipped to act on it.

Ritual murders in Ghana and Kenya

Belief in juju is widespread in Ghana and Kenya. This is the belief that people can mystically control events by using incantations (“magic words”) and, sometimes, objects.

My study analysed data drawn from online news reports in eight media outlets in Ghana and Kenya. I used media content because the countries don’t have national data sets on ritual homicide, and empirical research is limited. Secondly, I interviewed 28 experts in criminology and criminal justice, sociology, African religions, and child and family welfare and social protection. These participants were selected using the purposeful sampling technique.

In Ghana, the media reported at least 160 ritual murders between 2012 and 2021. Of this number, 94 (about 58.8%) were children. This suggests that an average of 9.4 children fall victim to ritual murder each year in the country. Of the 102 ritual murders in Kenya in the study period, 66 (64.7%) were children. This represents an annual average of 6.6 in the country.

In both countries, most victims (over 80%) tend to be drawn from families of low socio-economic backgrounds in rural and semi-rural communities. In Kenya, children with albinism are also targeted.

The overwhelming majority of offenders are males. There are three main categories of perpetrators of ritual child murders:

the juju practitioner or traditional healer who usually prescribes the required body parts and effects the medicine or ritual
the client who consults traditional healers and stands to benefit directly from the ritual or medicine
the (hired) ritual murderer, who abducts the victim and extracts the required body parts.

Data from media reports show that most of the perpetrators apprehended are those directly involved in the killing. They are usually aged between 20 and 39 years and of low socio-economic status in rural communities. However, some interviewees insisted that some rich and prominent persons are also involved.

In Ghana, uncles, fathers and stepfathers were the dominant perpetrators in cases where victims and perpetrators were known to be related. Unlike other types of homicide, ritual child murder generally involves strangers nearly as often as it involves family members and acquaintances.

Motivations and responses

The dominant motivation for ritual murder is financial gain. This conclusion is drawn from the media accounts and the interviews. Perpetrators are promised money in exchange for specific human body parts. Others kill to use the body parts for rituals that are supposed to ensure a long life, fertility, business growth, or protection against evil. In Kenya, some perpetrators kill in fulfillment of their obligations as members of occult sects.

Other factors that sustain the practice – based on media reports and interviews – are superstition, unemployment and economic hardship. Adding to these are illiteracy, which fosters unfounded beliefs, and an inefficient criminal justice system, which enables these crimes to thrive.

Poor parental supervision is an important risk factor for ritual child murder. In both countries, over 70% of the ritual murder victims were under 10 years old. They were abducted or murdered while going to or returning home from school. Others were abducted while running errands such as fetching water from a stream unaccompanied. Some may have been playing outside their homes unsupervised, or running errands by themselves for relatives.

In both countries, the criminal justice system’s response is evidently ineffective. In Kenya, over 90% of perpetrators are not apprehended. Of 68 suspects arrested in Ghana, only four convictions were reported. Crime scenes are poorly managed and preserved by police officers and detectives in both countries.

Crime scene videos show the victims’ remains being removed by authorities and conveyed to the morgue without diligent forensic examination of the body and the crime scene for evidence.

What governments can do

The belief in the power of juju and associated rituals and medicines cannot be wished away. It can only be combated in various ways:

bringing the activities of traditional healers and occult-related sects under closer scrutiny
promoting education and awareness, emphasising the need for supervision of children
stronger criminal justice systems.

Source: Ritual murder of children: study in Ghana and Kenya explores who’s doing it and why

Liberia Human Rights report condemns continuation of female genital mutilation, trial by ordeal, and ritual killings

Posted on March 30, 2025 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

As elaborated further in the article presented below, the human rights situation in Liberia, as reported by the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) in its 2024 Human Rights Situation Report, is very worrisome with severe human rights violations across the country. Notably, I quote, “The report (…) condemned the continuation of harmful traditional practices, particularly female genital mutilation (FGM), trial by ordeal, and ritual killings. Despite calls from both the government and traditional leaders to end these practices, they remain rampant (….)” Unquote.

Ritual killings, trial by ordeal (‘sassy wood trial’) and witchcraft accusations are persistent problems in Liberia and on many occasions I have drawn attention to these practices, reporting on particular ritual murder cases. In the recent past there have only been a few reported cases of ritual violence including murder but, as the 2024 Human Rights Situation Report of the INCHR demonstrates, this does not mean that the ugly practice of killing human beings for ‘juju’ purposes, traditional trials by ordeal and witchcraft accusations have vanished – unfortunately not.

It is interesting to note that the INCHR categorizes ritual killings as a traditional practice. It is a fact, that the origin of killing for ritual purposes (to obtain ‘juju’) in Liberia goes back to the history of certain tribal communities, but Liberia’s recent past contains an abundance of ritual murders which were committed because of sheer greed and which are hardly distinguishable from ordinary criminal acts including abduction, torture and murder.

Providing an exhaustive list of examples here would require too much space, I will just give three examples covering the past 50 years: (1) the Maryland murders in the late 1970s; (2) ritual killings in the Doe era (1990s) ; and (3) accusations linking the Weah Administration (2018 – 2024) to ritual killings – underligning that ritualistic murders are being committed in Liberia every year.
(Note: I purposely omit here the back-to-back civil wars (1989-2003) with its many atrocities, ritualistic killings and cannibalism.).

The one million dollar question that emerges is of course: ‘Why are there still ritual murderers in Liberia, why hasn’t the phenomenon of ritual killings disappeared?

He/she who knowns the answer should speak.
(webmaster FVDK)

Liberia: INCHR 2024 Report Highlights Alarming Human Rights Violations in Liberia

Published: March 28, 2025
By: Front Page Africa, Liberia

Monrovia-The 2024 Human Rights Situation Report released by the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) has shed light on severe human rights violations across Liberia, pointing to troubling trends that persist despite some positive efforts in certain sectors.

The report, presented by INCHR Chairperson Cllr. Dempster Brown, paints a concerning picture of the state of human rights in Liberia, with key violations spanning state security brutality, prolonged pretrial detention, gender-based violence, and the continued prevalence of harmful traditional practices.

State Security Brutality and Excessive Use of Force

The most pressing concern raised in the report is the brutality of state security forces. Instances of excessive use of force by law enforcement, often leading to deaths, have continued to occur with alarming frequency.

One such incident highlighted in the report was the killing of a 17-year-old student by a police officer on July 1, in Paynesville City.

The officer was involved in a confrontation with a suspect, and in an attempt to restrain the individual, he discharged his weapon, fatally injuring the student. Despite the officer being arrested and charged with murder, this case underscores a broader issue of unchecked violence by state security forces.

Prolonged Pretrial Detention and Judicial Delays

Another critical violation addressed in the report is the widespread issue of prolonged pretrial detention. Many individuals are held in detention for extended periods without trial, contributing to overcrowding in Liberia’s prisons.

These delays are further compounded by a shortage of judicial officers in rural areas, preventing timely adjudication of cases.

Prolonged Pretrial Detention and Judicial Delays

These delays are further compounded by a shortage of judicial officers in rural areas, preventing timely adjudication of cases.

This backlog in the judicial system according to the report, has led to a growing distrust in the country’s ability to deliver justice.

Gender-Based Violence and Rape

The INCHR report also expressed grave concern over the persistence of gender-based violence (GBV), with rape cases, particularly those involving minors, remaining a constant threat.

Despite ongoing efforts to address this issue, there has been no significant reduction in the prevalence of sexual violence, with victims often left without adequate protection or recourse to justice.

Harmful Traditional Practices

The report further condemned the continuation of harmful traditional practices, particularly female genital mutilation (FGM), trial by ordeal, and ritual killings. (italics added by the webmaster)
Despite calls from both the government and traditional leaders to end these practices, they remain rampant, with young girls being particularly vulnerable. The practice of FGM, in particular, continues to impact young children who are often subjected to the procedure at the expense of their education and well-being.

Enforced Disappearances and Extrajudicial Killings

The issue of enforced disappearances was also highlighted, with the case of Abrahima Kalil Cherif standing out.

Cherif, who was arrested in 2024, was reported missing after being detained at the Monrovia Central Prison. His case, along with other instances of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, points to serious lapses in Liberia’s adherence to both national and international human rights standards.

The appalling conditions in Liberia’s prisons were another critical area of concern. Overcrowding, lack of medical care, and the rampant spread of diseases like tuberculosis and hepatitis B have created a dire situation for inmates.

The report stressed that the prolonged pretrial detention system exacerbates these conditions, placing detainees at severe risk of health complications.

Child Protection and Violations in Concession Areas

Additionally, the report said children in Liberia remain vulnerable to exploitation, with widespread reports of child labor, sexual violence, and even torture.

“Children accused of witchcraft are often subjected to public humiliation and violence, highlighting the need for stronger child protection measures. Additionally, the report pointed to violence in concession areas, where communities protesting against poor conditions have been met with deadly force from state security, leading to significant human rights abuses,” the report added.

Call for Immediate Action

In light of these grave violations, the INCHR has called for government immediate action to address the issues raised in the report.

The Commission has further recommended Investigations into all killings by state and non-state actors, with appropriate accountability, Expedited reforms to address the backlog in the judicial system and alleviate overcrowding in prisons, the criminalization of harmful traditional practices such as FGM and trial by ordeal, strengthened protections for women and children, particularly in the areas of gender-based violence and child labor and Enhanced oversight of law enforcement agencies to ensure accountability for misconduct.

Meanwhile, the 2024 INCHR report underscores the urgent need for reforms in Liberia’s approach to human rights, noting that continued violations, particularly those involving state security forces, judicial delays, gender-based violence, and harmful traditional practices, demand immediate attention from the government.

The INCHR said that without significant changes, Liberia risks undermining its commitment to human rights, both domestically and on the international stage.

Source: Liberia: INCHR 2024 Report Highlights Alarming Human Rights Violations in Liberia

Uganda: Kitagwenda District Councillor arrested over child sacrifice allegations

Posted on March 22, 2025 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

Child sacrifice is – sadly – a widespread phenomenon in Uganda which even has led to a special Wikipedia page.

On the present site I have posted numerous cases of children murdered for ritualistic purposes – while not pretending to have covered all ritual murders involving children since 2018. (Please note that I only started this site in 2018.)

The latest reported chid sacrifice took the life of a four-year-old girl, Trinah Ainomugisha. She was the daughter of Vincent Bagarukayo and Catherine Nyakato, residents of Kanyara village, Kikondo ward in Kabujogera Town Council. Her father, Vincent Bagarukayo, expressed his sorrow, he called for justice and shocked the public stating that “I have now lost two children under similar circumstances. One of my children went missing, and despite reporting to the police, he has never been found. I strongly suspect the same person behind Trinah’s murder could have kidnapped my son as well.”

Police arrested four persons suspected of involvement in the brutal murder of Trinah Ainomugisha. The prime suspect is an elected official, Kitagwenda District Councilor for Persons with Disabilities Levi Amarakutunga.

Kitagwenda District is a district in Western Uganda. Kitagwenda District is part of the Tooro Kingdom, one of the ancient traditional monarchies in Uganda.

Read more details in the three articles presented below.

NB It may be superfluous but the reader is reminded that no person is guilty unless found guilty by an independent court during a public trial. (FVDK)

Kitagwenda District Councilor for Persons with Disabilities Levi Amarakutunga – the prime suspect in the murder of four-year-old Trinah Ainomugisha.

Kitagwenda Councilor, Three Others Arrested Over Child Sacrifice Allegations

Published: March 18, 2025
By: Ivan Mugisha – Nile Post, Uganda

Kitagwenda District Police Commander Bashir Bakulumpangi said the incident began on Sunday evening when Trinah’s mother sent her to deliver Shs10,000 to a person who had requested it.

Security operatives in Kitagwenda district have arrested four individuals, including a district councilor, in connection with the killing of a four-year-old girl in what is suspected to be a ritual sacrifice.

The suspects include Levi Amarakutunga, a district councilor representing persons with disabilities in Kitagwenda district, and three of his workers whose identities police have not disclosed.

The deceased, Trinah Ainomugisha, was the daughter of Vincent Bagarukayo and Catherine Nyakato, residents of Kanyara village, Kikondo ward in Kabujogera Town Council.

Kitagwenda District Police Commander Bashir Bakulumpangi said the incident began on Sunday evening when Trinah’s mother sent her to deliver Shs10,000 to a person who had requested it.

The girl did not return, prompting her mother to alert the area chairperson, who mobilized a search party. Their efforts proved futile.

On Monday morning, Nyakato reported the matter to Kabujogera Town Council Police Post, and the case was escalated to Kitagwenda Central Police Station, which deployed a canine unit.

The sniffer dog led officers to Nyakagezi cell, where they found the girl’s body in a farm.

“The body had a deep cut on the neck, a sign that the child may have been brutally sacrificed,” Bakulumpangi said.

The sniffer dog then led investigators to Amarakutunga’s residence, where officers reportedly found blood-stained evidence. This led to the arrest of Amarakutunga and his three workers.

Upon hearing the news, enraged residents stormed Amarakutunga’s farm, destroying his banana plantation and cutting four of his cows.

Police intervened to prevent further destruction.

“We understand the community’s anger, but we urge them to remain calm and allow investigations to proceed,” Bakulumpangi said.

Authorities say a thorough investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of Trinah’s death and whether it was indeed a case of ritual sacrifice.

“We are gathering all necessary evidence to ensure justice is served,” Bakulumpangi said.

The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.

Source: Kitagwenda Councilor, Three Others Arrested Over Child Sacrifice Allegations

Kitagwenda Residents Demand Justice for Murdered 4-Year-Old Girl

Published: March 18, 2025
By: Ivan Mugisha – Nile Post, Uganda

During an emotionally charged burial in Kikondo Parish, Kabujogera Town Council, the child’s father, Vincent Bagarukayo, expressed his devastation and called for swift investigations.

Parents and residents of Kitagwenda District are demanding justice for Trinah Ainomugisha, a four-year-old girl allegedly murdered by individuals including Levi Amarakutunga, the district council representative for persons with disabilities, and his three workers.

During an emotionally charged burial in Kikondo Parish, Kabujogera Town Council, the child’s father, Vincent Bagarukayo, expressed his devastation and called for swift investigations.

“I have now lost two children under similar circumstances. One of my children went missing, and despite reporting to the police, he has never been found. I strongly suspect the same person behind Trinah’s murder could have kidnapped my son as well,” Bagarukayo lamented.

Mary Mugizi, the Kabujogera Town Council female councilor and one of the eyewitnesses during the police search, revealed that bloodstains and a basin filled with blood were found inside Amarakutunga’s house.

“This is overwhelming evidence that should pin the suspect. We demand that security agencies ensure justice is served to the bereaved family,” Mugizi stated.

Doreen Kaita, the female district councilor of Kabujogera, condemned the brutal killing and urged leaders to work together to prevent such crimes.

“This is a barbaric act that should never happen in our community. As leaders, we must fight against such evil and ensure our people are safe,” Kaita emphasized.

Ronald Nsabumukiza, the Officer in Charge at Kitagwenda Central Police Station, who attended the burial, assured the public that investigations were ongoing.

“We understand the pain and anger of the residents, but we urge them to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands. Justice will be served,” Nsabumukiza assured.

All the suspects, including Amarakutunga, remain in police custody at Kitagwenda Central Police Station as authorities continue gathering evidence.

Ainomugisha was allegedly murdered on Saturday in what is suspected to have been a ritual sacrifice. Her body was discovered in a nearby farm.

The tragic incident has left the community in shock, with residents and local leaders calling for stronger measures to protect children. As the investigation unfolds, the people of Kitagwenda remain united in their demand for justice.

Source: Kitagwenda Residents Demand Justice for Murdered 4-Year-Old Girl

And:

More Allegations Emerge Against Kitagwenda Councilor in 4-Year-Old’s Murder Case

Kitagwenda District Councilor Levi Amarakutunga

Published: March 20, 2025
By: Ivan Mugisha – Nile Post, Uganda

Community members have accused Amarakutunga of sexual abuse and coercion. One victim, who spoke on condition of anonymity, recounted a harrowing encounter with Amarakutunga.

New disturbing allegations have emerged against Levi Amarakutunga, the Kitagwenda District Councillor for Persons with Disabilities, who is the prime suspect in the murder of four-year-old Trinah Ainomugisha.

Community members have accused Amarakutunga of sexual abuse and coercion. One victim, who spoke on condition of anonymity, recounted a harrowing encounter with Amarakutunga.

“He found me on the road one evening and offered me a lift. After I got into his car, he started touching my belly and moustache while sticking out his tongue. I was terrified,” he said.

The victim said Amarakutunga later drove him to his home, locked the car doors, and continued making inappropriate advances.

“He touched my private parts, and I panicked. Just then, my friend called me for our usual drinking spree. Amarakutunga overheard the conversation, and I used the chance to break the window, forcing him to open the door. He warned me not to tell anyone,” the victim said.

Another alleged victim claimed he was taken to Amarakutunga’s home in Nyabihoko Parish, Buhanda Sub-county, after being told he would receive prayers for wealth.

However, he said the councillor attempted to coerce him into sexual acts.

“He tried to convince me, but I resisted. When I told him to stop, we disagreed. He then warned me never to speak about what had happened,” the victim said.

Kabujogera councillor Innocent Kizza confirmed that similar reports about Amarakutunga had circulated in the community.

“Many victims have remained silent out of fear,” Kizza said.

Kitagwenda Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Nicholas Nuwagira also acknowledged awareness of the accusations. “We have heard the claims and are investigating the matter,” he said.

Amarakutunga and three of his workers were arrested on Monday in connection with the suspected ritual murder of Ainomugisha.

They are being held at Kitagwenda Central Police Station as investigations continue.

The allegations come amid Uganda’s strict Anti-Homosexuality Act, signed into law by President Museveni in May 2023. The law imposes life imprisonment for same-sex relations and the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality,” which includes sexual abuse involving minors, disabled persons, or acts committed under coercion.

Once a celebrated gospel singer known for songs like Abyeitu nibikorwa Mukama and Nyentsya Yaawe, as well as a director at Nyabihoko Parents Primary School, Amarakutunga’s reputation has been tainted by these grave accusations.

As police continue their investigations, the people of Kitagwenda await justice for Ainomugisha and those who claim to have suffered at Amarakutunga’s hands.

Source: More Allegations Emerge Against Kitagwenda Councilor in 4-Year-Old’s Murder Case

Uganda: Protesters set Soroti school on fire over delayed justice in pupil’s ritual murder

Posted on March 16, 2025 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

Last month, I posted twice on this gruesome ritual killing case in Uganda, see my posts of February 17 and February 12. The brutal murder of the victim, Joan Faith Apio, a five-year-old pupil at Jozan Nursery and Primary School, shocked Soroti City. Read the following report.
(webmaster FVDK)

Protesters Set Soroti School on Fire Over Delayed Justice in Pupil’s Murder

Published:
By: Eddy Enuru – – Nile Post, Uganda

In February, Faith Apio, 5, was found in a pool of blood at the school just three days into her enrollment.

Angry residents in Soroti City set Jozan Nursery and Primary School ablaze on Thursday, protesting the delayed justice in the murder of five-year-old Joan Faith Apio.

The violent unrest followed a court decision to adjourn the high-profile case to March 20, 2025, sparking outrage among community members who accused authorities of frustrating the legal process.

Apio’s body was found on February 5 in a pit latrine at the school, her throat slit in what many suspect was a ritual killing.

The gruesome discovery shocked the community, leading to calls for swift action.

However, tensions flared when Grade One Magistrate Kibirige Apollo Kasuja adjourned the case during a virtual session, with the suspects—including school administrators, cooks, and two juveniles—appearing in court via video link.

Believing the delay was a ploy to deny justice, an irate crowd stormed the school, setting fire to the administration block, dormitories, and food store.

The mob also tore down the school’s fence, looted property, and vandalized offices.

Security forces fired live bullets into the air and used tear gas to disperse the protesters, but firefighters struggled to contain the flames as resistance continued.

Thick smoke billowed over the city, and panicked residents fled as the chaos escalated.

“We are tired of waiting. A five-year-old was murdered in cold blood, and now they are playing games with justice,” one protester shouted.

Authorities have yet to issue a statement on the situation, but local leaders condemned the violence, urging patience as investigations proceed.

Despite the destruction, protesters remain adamant that they will keep pressing for justice until Apio’s killers are held accountable.

The unrest in Soroti comes at a time of heightened tensions across Uganda, with similar concerns about justice and security playing out in the upcoming Kawempe North by-election.

Opposition leaders have accused security forces of intimidation and violence, raising fears about the broader political climate as the country moves toward the 2026 general elections.

Source: Protesters Set Soroti School on Fire Over Delayed Justice in Pupil’s Murder

Zambian and Namibian police investigate ritual killings

Posted on February 20, 2025 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

One of the most remote places on earth, Katima Mulilo, capital of Namibia‘s Zambezi Region, is in the news. Katima Mulilo has a population of about 50,000 people.

A combined police force from Namibia and Zambia is investigating killings in the Zambezi Region for the alleged harvesting of body organs and other body parts. Reportedly, most victims are children and vulnerable people.

The Zambezi Region, one of Namibia’s fourteen regions, is located in the north-eastern part of the country along the Zambezi River. Until 2013 it was known as the Caprivi Region, named after the Caprivi Strip, a narrow strip of land, protruding into three neighboring countries, Botswana to the south and Angola and Zambia to the north.
(FVDK)

Zambian and Namibian police investigate ritual killings

Published: February 18, 2025
By: Namibia Press Agency

The Zambian police have launched an urgent joint investigation with the Namibian Police into killings in the Zambezi region for the alleged harvesting of body parts and organs.

The victims are said to be mostly children and vulnerable people.

The body parts are believed to be sold or used in traditional rituals.

The investigation was prompted by a viral social media video shared on Monday, showing a handcuffed man being interrogated in Silozi by suspected Zambian police officers.

In the footage, a suspect confesses to collaborating with a resident of the Zambezi region to kidnap a child, murder them, and dismember their body.

The suspect also names a village in the Zambezi region and associates involved in the trade.

He further alleges that a child’s body was burned after their organs were removed and that he was paid N$5 000 for his role in the crime.

Katima Mulilo Police Station commander chief inspector Charles Mayumbelo has confirmed the joint investigation, but was hesitant to share more information.

“This is a very serious and sensitive issue that we are dealing with right now.

“We will contact you when we have all the necessary information,” he says.

Source: Zambian and Namibian police investigate ritual killings

Uganda: emotions run high as thousands bury ritual murder victim Apio in Soroti

Posted on February 17, 2025 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

As announced in my previous post covering this tragic murder – now beyond doubt a ritual murder – dated February 12, Uganda: Wife of school director arrested over suspected ritual sacrifice in pupil’s murder, more news on the last moments of the victim, Joan Faith Apio, a five-year-old pupil at Jozan Nursery and Primary School, whose brutal murder has left Soroti City in shock.

When will it end? Will there ever be a day that ritualistic killings will have ceased to occur?

As the article below describes, outside the cathedral, emotions ran high as thousands of mourners stood in sorrow and solidarity, demanding justice. The pictures tell all.
(FVDK)

Emotions Run High As Thousands Bury Ritual Murder Victim Apio in Soroti

Joan Apio had only attended the school for two days when she was brutally murdered

Published: February 16, 2025
By: Eddy Enuru – Nile Post, Uganda

On Sunday, February 16, mourners gathered at St. Immaculate Catholic Parish to pay their last respects. Rev. Fr. Michael Omaria offered condolences to Apio’s grieving family, urging them to seek solace in faith.

Tension ran high at the requiem mass for Joan Faith Apio, a five-year-old pupil at Jozan Nursery and Primary School, whose brutal murder has left Soroti City in shock.

Her lifeless body was discovered locked inside a staff pit latrine on February 5, sending waves of grief and fear through the community.

The tragic incident has raised urgent concerns over the safety of children in private schools.

On Sunday, February 16, mourners gathered at St. Immaculate Catholic Parish to pay their last respects. Rev. Fr. Michael Omaria offered condolences to Apio’s grieving family, urging them to seek solace in faith.

He strongly condemned the ritualistic nature of the crime, calling it abhorrent.

Outside the cathedral, emotions ran high as thousands of mourners stood in sorrow and solidarity, demanding justice.

As public pressure mounted, police intensified their investigations, leading to multiple arrests. Soroti Resident City Commissioner Peter Pex Paak addressed mourners, confirming that several suspects had confessed and would soon face trial.

“Joan’s murder was like a movie. It was carefully planned, and several people played a role in killing her,” Paak stated.

According to investigators, the murder was premeditated and involved at least seven individuals.

Apio and her twin sister, Achen, had only recently joined Jozan Nursery and Primary School after their mother, Evelyn Akol, was reportedly manipulated into enrolling them.

On February 3, Akol unknowingly left her daughters in the hands of those who would later be implicated in the crime.

Two days later, Apio was lured into the staff latrine at around noon, where she was murdered.

Authorities believe one accomplice waited inside the latrine while another led the child in. A third suspect allegedly washed away the evidence immediately after the crime.

Apio’s blood was reportedly collected, wrapped in black plastic, and handed to an unidentified individual who fled the scene.

“We are now hunting for the person who received the blood from behind the school fence and escaped with it,” Paak added.

Police confirmed that all primary suspects were in custody and had provided statements detailing their roles. Meanwhile, authorities are actively pursuing the individual who took the blood.

Investigations also suggest that the director of another school in Soroti played a role in persuading Akol to enroll her daughters at Jozan.

East Kyoga Regional Police Commander Damalie Nakyuha confirmed the arrests of five individuals, including Joseph Okedi, the director of Jozan Nursery and Primary School, his wife, Suzan Vivian Okedi, and head teacher David Kadimba.

She assured the public that more arrests were expected as the probe continued.

Joan Faith Apio, born on December 17, 2019, was laid to rest on February 17, 2025, at her family home in Ateuso, Kapelebyong District.

As the city mourns, the demand for justice grows louder, with parents and authorities calling for greater oversight to protect children from similar tragedies.

Source: Emotions Run High As Thousands Bury Ritual Murder Victim Apio in Soroti

Also (though limited access):

Soroti Pupil was Killed for Ritual Sacrifices- RCC

The Soroti Resident City Commissioner, Peter Pex Paak says the murder was properly planned and executed by seven people whom he declined to name.

Published: February 17, 2025
By: Edward Eninu (Bureau Chief, Soroti) and Morris Okwi (freelancer) – UgandaRadioNetwork URN

You need to Log in and be a client to read this story in full and get access to audio and images.

*Photo frame of Faith Joan Apio, the pupil killed at Jozan Nursery and Primary School in Soroti city.*

Source: Soroti Pupil was Killed for Ritual Sacrifices- RCC

Uganda: Wife of school director arrested over suspected ritual sacrifice in pupil’s murder

Posted on February 12, 2025 by Dr. F.P.M. van der Kraaij

Warning: the following post may upset readers as it contains graphic details of a heinous crime (FVDK)

Strictly speaking we are dealing here with a suspected case of ritual murder. In judicial terms, the violent death of the 5-year old girl, Joan Faith Apio, may be labelled murder – not a ritual sacrifice. The reason why I present the case here nonetheless, is that (quote) “The tragedy has reignited public debate on the rising cases of ritual sacrifices in Uganda, with activists calling for tougher measures against individuals involved in such heinous crimes.” (unquote)

The incident occurred in Soroti, in the Eastern Kyoga Region.

Unfortunately, murder for ritualistic proposes and child sacrifice are no unknown crimes in Uganda. In the past I have reported numerous cases of real and suspected cases of ritual murder or ritual sacrifice. (See previous posts using the dropdown menu under ‘African countries’.) Wikipedia even offers a special page on the phenomenon of child sacrifice in Uganda.

As more news emerges on this particular case I will keep you informed.
(webmaster FVDK)

Wife of school director arrested over suspected ritual sacrifice

Published: February 1, 2025
By: Eddy Enuru – Nile Post

Police are investigating suspected ritual sacrifice after a 5-year-old nursery pupil was brutally murdered

Police in Soroti have arrested Suzan Vivian Okedi, the wife of the director of Jozan Nursery and Primary School, as part of an ongoing investigation into the suspected ritual killing of 5-year-old Joan Faith Apio.

East Kyoga Region Police Commander (RPC) Damalie Nachuha confirmed the arrest on Monday, February 10.

Ms Okedi was taken into custody alongside her brother, who was apprehended at the school premises.

Their arrest brings the total number of suspects in police custody to five.

Jozan Nursery and Primary School, which has since been closed and sealed off by Police, became the centre of investigations following Apio’s gruesome murder last week.

Authorities believe key evidence related to the incident may be found within the school.

RPC Nachuha assured the public that Police are diligently gathering more evidence to ensure that justice is served. She urged patience as investigations continue.

“This is a sensitive case, and we are working closely with forensic experts to uncover the truth. The public should remain calm as we handle this matter with the seriousness it deserves,” Nachuha stated.

Apio, a twin, had only spent three days at the school’s boarding section before she was found dead under horrifying circumstances.

Her throat had been removed, and her lifeless body was discovered locked inside the staff pit-latrine. The gruesome discovery was made by the school matron, Ms Osula Adong, who described the scene with deep distress.

The incident has sent shockwaves across Soroti and beyond, with parents and community members demanding justice for the young girl.

Many have also raised concerns about the safety of children in boarding schools, calling for increased security and stricter regulations.

As investigations continue, the police have vowed to leave no stone unturned in establishing the motive behind Apio’s killing and identifying all those responsible.

Meanwhile, parents whose children were enrolled at Jozan Nursery and Primary School are in distress, with some calling for permanent closure of the institution.

The tragedy has reignited public debate on the rising cases of ritual sacrifices in Uganda, with activists calling for tougher measures against individuals involved in such heinous crimes. (bold letter type and italics aded by the Webmaster FVDK)

Source: Wife of School Director Arrested Over Suspected Ritual Sacrifice in Pupil’s Murder

Ritual Killing In Africa

Human Rights, Rule of Law, and Superstition in Africa

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