Police in Lwengo District are searching for a renowned traditional healer after several human body parts, believed to be remains of a victim of suspected ritual sacrifice, were recovered near his home.
The remains were discovered in a shallow pit dug in a bush near the home of Muzafaru Habaasa in Kigeye B Village, Malongo Sub-county.
Greater Masaka Regional Police Spokesperson Twaha Kasirye said the discovery was made after a herdsman became suspicious when he noticed what appeared to be strands of female hair protruding from the ground while grazing animals in the area.
Police searched the spot and recovered several human remains, including a hand, skull and preserved bones that had reportedly been placed in a sack and buried.
Kasirye said police later searched Habaasa’s home, where they recovered additional human remains, roasted matooke and herbs near a fireplace.
He said Habaasa had since gone into hiding, while police were also investigating the possible involvement of other people.
“Residents suspect that Habaasa and other people could have kidnapped a woman and killed her for ritual purposes,” Kasirye said.
The recovered remains have been taken to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital for postmortem examination and possible identification as investigations continue.
Police have appealed to members of the public who have missing female relatives to report the cases and provide any information that could help investigators establish the identity of the remains.
Lawrence Kyetune, a resident of Kigeye Parish, said Habaasa settled in the area in 2012 and established a traditional shrine that has attracted numerous clients over the years.
Kyetune said residents suspect that the traditional healer could have abducted and killed an unidentified female client as part of a ritual.
The discovery has renewed concerns about alleged ritual killings and the proliferation of traditional shrines in Lwengo District.
In 2020, police launched an operation to investigate the activities of traditional shrines in the district following reports of killings allegedly linked to ritual sacrifice. At the time, police said more than 2,000 shrines had been identified in Lwengo.
Police have intensified efforts to locate Habaasa and establish the circumstances surrounding the recovered remains.
