A shocking discovery was made in the Kijjabweni area of Masaka City when locals stumbled upon the dismembered body of a young boy in a nearby forest.
The discovery made on September 13, 2024, has sent shockwaves through the community, raising fears of a resurgence in child sacrifice and violent crime in the region.
The deceased, believed to be between 5 and 7 years old, was found beheaded, with his hands and legs missing. A white thread was discovered around his neck.
Local residents, who were in the forest to gather firewood, reported that there were no signs of a struggle or blood at the scene, suggesting that the boy may have been killed elsewhere and dumped to conceal evidence.
Similarly, a second body was also uncovered in the same forest shortly after the first discovery. This second body was found in a state of decomposition, and its identity remains unknown.
Yasin Kalyango, a local resident, expressed the community’s fear following these discoveries, stating that the presence of two bodies in one day indicates the possibility of more victims hidden within the forest.
“We might find other dead bodies or skeletons inside this very forest,” he warned.
He further suggested that the two bodies could be linked to child sacrifice, a crime that has historically plagued the region.
The community’s anxiety is high as residents are fearing for the safety of their children. Kalyango called for increased police presence and security measures in the area, highlighting the forest’s growing reputation as a haven for criminal activity.
This incident is not the first in the area; it reflects a history of child sacrifice in the Masaka region. In 2008, Godfrey Kato Kajubi, a businessman, was convicted for the ritual murder of a 12-year-old boy, a case that remains a major reference point for similar crimes in Uganda. Reports indicate that such incidents are often tied to beliefs in witchcraft and the pursuit of wealth.
As the investigation unfolds, the community remains on high alert, hoping for swift action from authorities to ensure the safety of their children and bring those responsible for these heinous acts to justice.