A 36-year old man from Mpigi had his private parts cut off and his eyeball removed in a case of suspected ritual murder last weekend. At about the same time, a 10-year-old girl from the neighbouring Wakiso district was found murdered and her leg and arm cut off in another suspected case of witchcraft.

Cases like these are not mentioned in the Police’s weekly briefings. When asked about them, the Police say they are still investigating.
It is disturbing that such horrific crimes can take place in our midst and the public is left in the dark about what is happening.

Officially, 29 cases of human sacrifice were reported by the Police last year. Although this is an increase to previous years, it is only a fraction of the number of children who went missing in 2009.

Stories about human sacrifice generate huge anxiety among the population since nobody knows who will fall victim next. Parents want to know if it is safe to send their children to buy milk in the shop around the corner, or let them walk to school alone.

The silence of the Police adds to the mystery surrounding many of these cases, and the feeling of insecurity.
People are wondering whether our Police lack the capacity to solve ritual murder cases or whether they are compromised. If so many cases remain unsolved, the Police should consider hiring foreign Police detectives to assist in the investigations.

Many countries would be willing to send investigators but fear being resisted by corrupt elements in the Ugandan Police who are benefiting from the confusion. The anti-human sacrifice task force should also give a regular briefing on their findings and cooperate with the public in the affected areas. This is, after all, what community policing is about.