Warning: the following article contains graphic details which may upset readers
Another case of suspected ritual killing in Uganda, not the first one reported here, to put it mildly. And yet again parents seem to have been involved though we have to be careful with our judgments. No one is guilty unless found guilty by an independent court in a public, fair, and transparent trial.
That being said I’m afraid that it won’t be the last time I a report here a case of suspected or proven ritualistic killing: murder for ritualistic purposes, believing in the supernatural powers of magic or witchcraft, and with the intention to became rich or richer, famous or more famous. The right to live – of the innocent victim – is being sacrificed for the wellbeing of the perpetrator or the person who order the killing.
Let justice be done! (webmaster FVDK)
Police Arrest Mother, Neighbor Over Suspected Ritual Killing of 14-Year-Old in Luwero
Sam Twiineamazima, the Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson, explained that on the day of the incident, Lule led the boy to a hilltop in the village known for spiritual rituals, allegedly on instructions from Muntu’s father, identified only as Kalyango Konooweka.
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Published: March 3, 2026 By: Brian Luwaga, Bureau Chief – Uganda Radio Network
Police in Luweero District are investigating the suspected ritual killing of a 14-year-old boy in Bugabo Village, Mabuye Parish, Kamira Sub-county.
According to Savannah Regional Police spokesperson ASP Sam Twiineamazima, the victim, a pupil at Domasco Primary School, was allegedly taken to a hilltop shrine by a man identified as Godfrey Lule, also known as Kutesa, reportedly on the instructions of the boy’s father, Kalyango, also known as Konoweka.
“It is alleged that the suspect took the victim to a hill where spiritual rituals are reportedly conducted. They shared a meal and later slept at the altar,” Twiineamazima said.
Police reports indicate that at around 6am, the suspect allegedly attacked the minor with a panga, inflicting a fatal cut to the left side of his neck.
“The suspect attempted to flee after committing the offence but was arrested following an alarm raised by the mother of the deceased,” Twiineamazima added.
The victim’s mother, Christine Nabuuma, also known as Mumbejja, has also been arrested to assist with ongoing investigations.
Police said officers responded to the scene, secured and documented it, and recovered several exhibits believed to be relevant to the case. The body was conveyed to Luweero Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.
“We recovered key exhibits including the suspected murder weapon, blood samples and clothing believed to have been stained with blood. Investigations are ongoing to establish the exact motive and whether there was any ritual involvement,” Twiineamazima stated.
Authorities say detectives are continuing with inquiries to piece together the circumstances surrounding the incident. The suspects remain in custody as investigations proceed.
Ritual killings in Uganda are rampant. I have frequently paid attention to this scourge which terrifies the population of this East-African country. In the current year alone I published eight posts on ritualistic crimes. According to official sources, police recorded at least 78 cases of ritual killings in 2024 (NB: more the one every week!), up from 62 cases in 2023 and 49 in 2022. Reportedly, children make up a significant proportion of the victims. However, it cannot be excluded that reported cases are only the tip of the iceberg. Human right groups in Uganda claim that many ritual murder cases go unreported (see below).
In his 2025 annual Christmas message, the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, commented on the growing number of children who were reported missing and were later found dead, brutally murdered, and in some cases with body parts missing.
Read the full story below. (webmaster FVDK)
Kabaka Condemns Ritual Killings and Urges Protection of Children
The Kabaka also warned about the return of violent criminal gangs, including machete-wielding attackers who target people at night, saying the combination of ritual killings and organised crime had heightened insecurity.
The Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, has strongly condemned the rise in ritual killings in Uganda, especially those involving children, warning that the resurgence of such crimes is spreading fear in communities and threatening public safety.
In his annual Christmas message, the cultural monarch said there were growing reports of children going missing and later being found brutally murdered, with some cases involving mutilation.
“We continue to hear reports of people whose children disappear and never return. Later we read in newspapers that some children are brutally killed and their body parts cut off,” the Kabaka said, adding that many Ugandans had believed such acts were a thing of the past.
“We thought these crimes had ended, but they have resurfaced again,” he said.
Uganda Police Force data shows that ritual murders remain a serious concern.
According to the force’s latest annual crime report, police recorded at least 78 cases of ritual killings in 2024, up from 62 cases in 2023 and 49 in 2022. Police say children make up a significant proportion of the victims. (italics and bold letter type added by the webmaster FVDK).
Authorities have linked many of the killings to criminal networks exploiting beliefs in quick wealth or power through human sacrifice, with cases reported mainly in rural districts across central and eastern Uganda.
The Kabaka also warned about the return of violent criminal gangs, including machete-wielding attackers who target people at night, saying the combination of ritual killings and organised crime had heightened insecurity.
He urged parents and communities to take extra precautions to protect children, particularly during the festive season.
Children
“We appeal to everyone to be vigilant and to protect ourselves and our children, especially during this festive period,” he said.
The monarch called on security agencies to step up efforts to protect citizens and their property, warning that failure to act decisively emboldens criminals and erodes public trust.
“Protecting life is a shared duty,” he said, stressing the importance of moral upbringing, community vigilance and cooperation between cultural institutions, local leaders and the state.
Uganda outlawed ritual sacrifice under the Prevention and Prohibition of Human Sacrifice Act, but rights groups say enforcement gaps remain and many cases go unreported due to fear of reprisals. (italics and bold letter type added by the webmaster FVDK).
Elsewhere on this site I provide ample information on the phenomenon of albinism and the plight of Africans living with albinism. It is not only a heath issue. It is also a human rights issue. People living with albinism are targeted on the African continent, they are discriminated, attacked, mutilated and sometimes murdered for ritualistic motives. This horrible practice must end.
Fortunately, organizations such as the Source of Nile Union of Persons with Albinism (SNUPA) are making efforts to make the lives of people with albinism more bearable and to fight against the stigmas attached to albinism. They are to be commended for their valuable work but we must realize that it is a matter that concerns us all. (FVDK)
The hidden struggles of living with albinism in Uganda
Published: July 22, 2025 By: Rhonet Atwiine – Nile Post, Uganda
Warning: the following post contains graphic details which may upset readers.
Unbelievable. It is incredible. Within a week I receive reports of ritual killings in Eswatini, Nigeria (Enugu and Kwara states), South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. I fear the reported cases are only the tip of the iceberg as many ritual murders – called muthi murders in Southern Africa, and money rituals in Nigeria and Ghana – go unnoticed. People simply disappear in many African states and they are never heard from again. ‘Dissolved in thin air.’
In Zimbabwe, a baby boy was found dead, murdered. The body of the eight weeks old victim was found with parts missing: his nose and right cheek were ripped off. Police are investigating the murder as a suspected ritual killing.
Warning: the following article contains graphic details which may upset readers
Another group of citizens, this time residents in Masaka District are worried and living in fear over the lack of protection and fear over increasing cases of child sacrifice in their neighborhood. Also see my previous post on child sacrifice in Uganda dated March 22 containing a long list of recent cases of child sacrifice in Uganda. (webmaster FVDK)
Masaka residents live in fear over rising cases of child sacrifice in area
Residents of Kyesiiga sub-county in Masaka District are living in fear following an alarming rise in child kidnappings, with many cases linked to ritual sacrifice.
According to residents, led by the sub county Chairperson, Gordon Mayanja, several children have been abducted, with kidnappers allegedly demanding ransom from their families.
In case the families fail to pay, the children are killed.
In a recent incident, a child who had just completed Primary Seven was found dead with body parts missing—believed to have been taken for ritualistic purposes.
“We found the body without a tongue and private parts which means someone sacrificed her with intentions,” said Hadijah Naggirinya child’s care taker.
In another case, the discovery of a mutilated body in Katikamu Forest, Buliiro Parish, Kyesiiga sub-county, has left the community terrified.
The deceased, identified as Sharifah Kyogabiire, was allegedly murdered by unknown assailants.
Hadijah Naggirinya, a resident of Mitondo Village in Kyesiiga, revealed that she had been taking care of the child for the past two years.
The girl had been left in her care by her biological mother, Joselyne Ainembabazi, who was struggling to raise her.
Naggirinya explained that in November last year, shortly after Koyagbiire completed her Primary Seven exams, a man identified as Patrick Mugisha came forward, claiming to be the child’s father.
He took her away, stating that she would live with him in Kampala.
“We last saw her in November when Mugisha took her away, saying he was her father which even the child confirmed. Now, five months later, we hear she has been murdered and found dumped in a forest yet he told me that he is going to stay with her at Kampala where he and the mother resides,” Naggirinya recounted.
During a visit in February, Mugisha allegedly returned to Mitondo Islamic Primary School, where the studied, and picked up her Primary Seven results.
He reportedly informed the school that he had enrolled her at Nile Vocational School in Masaka City.
Naggirinya was devastated upon learning that the girl’s body was found in the forest, with her tongue and private parts removed—signs that she was a victim of ritual sacrifice.
“It is terrifying that her body was found mutilated, missing crucial body parts. This is not an ordinary murder—it was ritual sacrifice,” she said.
Adding to the mystery, Mugisha’s phone has been off since the incident, and Joselyne Ainembabazi, the girl’s mother, has also disappeared after being informed of her daughter’s murder.
Kyesiiga sub-county chairperson Gordon Mayanja Ssebuggwawo expressed concern over the increasing cases of child abduction and ritual killings in the area.
“Child kidnappings have become rampant in Kyesiiga, and most of the victims end up being sacrificed. This must stop,” Mayanja declared.
He called on security agencies to intensify investigations and bring the perpetrators to justice, warning parents to be extra cautious about their children’s whereabouts.
As a follow-up to my March 22 post on the murder of a four-year-old girl in a suspected ritual killing, more details have emerged with respect to the prime suspect of the murder, Levi Amaratunga, a Kitagwenda District councillor, gospel singer, pastor and uncle of the victim.
Warning: the following article contains graphic details which may upset readers (FVDK).
Child’s uncle held over a suspected ritual murder
Published: March 22, 2025 By: Jonan Tusingwire – Msm, Uganda
Kitagwenda District Councillor Levi Amaratunga, uncle of the victim and prime suspect
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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)
Police intensify search at Jozan Nursery and Primary School in Apio murder case
Published: February 12, 2025 By: Eddy Enuru – Nile Post
The arrest of Suzan Vivian Okedi, wife of the director of Jozan Nursery and Primary School, has intensified investigations into the gruesome murder of 5-year-old Joan Faith Apio.
Apio, a Primary One pupil, was found dead in horrifying circumstances, her body discovered locked inside a staff latrine with her throat slit.
The shocking incident has sent shockwaves through the Soroti community, prompting calls for justice and enhanced safety measures for children in boarding schools.
A team of Scene of Crime officers and senior investigators from the East Kyoga Regional Police, led by Regional Police Commander Damalie Nachuha, continues to gather evidence.
“Police have once again revisited Jozan Nursery and Primary School to search for physical evidence that could shed light on this disturbing incident. The school has been closed and sealed off as investigations continue,” Nachuha stated.
As the probe unfolds, police have arrested four other suspects, including the school director, Joseph Okedi, school matron Osula Adong, a head teacher, and a relative of Okedi.
Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to thoroughly investigating the case while ensuring public safety.
The incident has sparked widespread concern among parents and community members over the security of children in educational institutions, particularly in boarding schools.
Many have called for stricter regulations to protect children from potential harm.
Beyond the immediate tragedy, the school’s closure has also raised economic concerns.
Local business owners who supplied food and other materials to the institution worry about potential financial losses due to uncollected payments.
Public outrage over Apio’s murder has also reignited discussions on ritual sacrifices in Uganda, with many demanding stricter laws and stronger enforcement against such crimes. (bold letter type and italics added by the webmaster FVDK).
As investigations progress, the community remains in mourning, and police continue working to ensure justice for Apio and her grieving family.
Grief, Outrage as Family of Murdered Twin Seeks Justice for Joan Apio Faith
Published: February 12, 2025 By: Eddy Enuru – Nile Post
The family of five-year-old Joan Apio Faith is engulfed in profound sorrow following her brutal murder at Jozan Nursery and Primary School.
Their home in Malinga Cell, Nakatunya Ward, Soroti City West, is filled with mourners, yet their hope for justice remains dim.
They are now focused on arranging a befitting burial at their ancestral home in Otela Ikiliok, Akoromit, Kapelebyong District.
Apio’s twin sister, Achen Angela Faith, is deeply traumatized and now fears returning to school.
Through tears, she recounted their last moments together in the dormitory before an unidentified man took Apio towards the latrine.
Later, she saw a man and a woman carrying Apio’s lifeless body into a car before it was transported to the hospital.
Margaret Akol, one of Apio’s grandmothers, expressed profound sorrow, recalling how she had lived with the twins in Gulu before they went to school.
Sobbing, she demanded, “We want total justice for our little Apio.”
Apio’s other grandmother, Agayo Mary Among, tearfully recounted how the family was initially informed that the child was sick and receiving treatment in the hospital’s outpatient department.
However, upon arrival, they were met with the devastating reality—Apio’s lifeless body locked in the mortuary.
Apio’s mother, Evelyn Akol, broke down as she recalled the moment she found her daughter dead.
“I first reported with my children on February 3rd and paid three-quarters of the school fees. The bursar assured me of their safety. On Tuesday morning, I spoke to the matron, and she assured me the children were fine. On Wednesday at 6:50 PM, while at work, I received a call from the bursar saying one twin daughter is sick and has been admitted at the hospital. I immediately jumped on a boda-boda because my children had never been in such a situation. I thought she was receiving a blood transfusion. We rushed from Katakwi to the hospital, arriving in less than an hour. I moved around the hospital like a mad person, ward to ward, I wasn’t seeing my child. I heard some people talking about mortuary, mortuary… I had to rush there only to find the mortuary locked but through the glass, I saw my daughter lying lifeless on the school uniform on the mortuary bed,” Akol narrated before collapsing in grief.
Apio’s aunt, Mary Among, is now demanding that authorities demolish the latrine where the murder reportedly occurred and conduct a thorough investigation into what might be hidden beneath it.
As part of an ongoing investigation into the suspected ritual killing, police have arrested five suspects in connection with the murder.
Among those arrested is Suzan Vivian Okedi, the wife of the director of Jozan Nursery and Primary School. East Kyoga Regional Police Commander (RPC) Damalie Nachuha confirmed the arrest on Monday, February 10.
Okedi was taken into custody alongside her brother, who was apprehended on the school premises.
The others in custody are the school director Joseph Kedi, school headteacher David Kadimba, deputy headteacher, and the matron.
Joan Apio Faith was born on December 17, 2019, and was tragically killed on February 5, 2025. Her grieving family now clings to prayers, hoping that justice will be served for their little girl. The deceased body is still lying at the hospital mortuary, according to the family.
