Child's uncle held over suspected ritual murder

MURDER 

KITAGWENDA - A wave of fear and outrage has gripped Kitagwenda district, after the mutilated body of a four-year-old child who had been missing was discovered in what authorities suspect to be a ritual killing. 

The gruesome murder left the community in shock, with residents demanding swift justice. Jonan Tusingwire writes how a four-year-old girl was killed in a suspected ritual murder.

Sunday, March 16, began as a typical day for Vincent Baka, 38, a resident of Nyaruhanda Ward, Kikondo, Kabujogera town council in Kitagwenda district. As usual, Baka joined his friends for an evening drink at Kabujogera trading centre while his wife, Catherine Nyakato, stayed home attending to their children and preparing supper.

At around 6:00pm, Nyakato sent their four-year-old daughter, Maria Trina Ainomugyisha, to a neighbour, known as Delton, to deliver money she owed her. 

However, the little girl did not return. Baka, who arrived home at 7:00pm, was informed by his wife that their daughter had not yet returned. Concerned, Nyakato went to the neighbour’s house to check on her, only to be told that Maria had not arrived. 

“When my wife inquired, the neighbours said they had not seen the child. That means she disappeared before reaching their home,” Baka recounted.

Alarmed, Baka mobilised neighbours, and, together, they launched a frantic search for Maria. The search lasted until 1:00am, but yielded no results. The distance between Baka’s home and the neighbour’s house was approximately 80 metres. Between the two homes is the residence of Levi Amaratunga, Baka’s brother. 

“We searched everywhere. We even beat drums to alert people, but we could not find her. We did not check Amaratunga’s house since it was within a gated compound,” he explained. 

Maria was four years old.

Maria’s grandfather, Gerald Mugisha, recalled: “I was watching a Manchester United game when my daughter informed me that my granddaughter was missing. I sent my children to help in the search.”

Gruesome discovery 

After a sleepless night, residents discovered Maria’s lifeless body the following morning, on March 17. Her body was found dumped in a stream near Amaratunga’s farm, her throat slit open. 

Authorities immediately deployed a sniffer dog, which led Police officers directly to Amaratunga’s house in Kabujogera town council. A thorough search of his house led to a chilling discovery: a bucket filled with blood hidden in a secret room. 

The find sparked outrage among the residents, who responded by cutting down Amaratunga’s banana plantation, raiding his farm, and killing his cows. 

“When we deployed the sniffer dog, it led us straight to a home in the village. The suspect is now in custody to assist with investigations,” Bashir Bakurumpagi, the Kitagwenda district Police commander, said.

The Police strongly suspected that Maria had been murdered in a ritual killing. Amaratunga, along with three others, was arrested in connection to the crime. 

Amaratunga

The other suspects were: Radius Tumusiime, 30, a teacher at Amutagwenda Primary School; Deus Kakuru, 28, a resident of Karindiro Cell, Kashangura Ward, Kagongo Division in Ibanda Municipality; and Nicholus Asingura, 18, a herdsman from Nyaruhanda Cell in Kitagwenda district. 

According to Rwenzori West Police spokesperson Vincent Twesige, the suspects have been charged with murder by cutting. He confirmed that preliminary investigations strongly pointed to a ritual killing. 

“The nature of the crime scene strongly suggests a ritual murder. Investigations are ongoing and we will release a preliminary report soon,” Twesige stated.

Who is Levi Amaratunga? 

Amaratunga is a well-known figure in Kitagwenda district, celebrated for his contributions to education, religion and community development. 

He was serving his second term as the district councillor, representing people with disabilities, and was also a gospel singer, the director of Nyabihoko Parents Primary School and a pastor. 

Additionally, he chaired the district council’s social services committee. Residents described him as a passionate gospel singer, whose music addressed religious themes and corruption. 

Mugisha

His songs were frequently played on radio stations in Kamwenge and Ibanda and he was a popular performer at weddings. “He is a household name in Kitagwenda. 

People listens to his music daily,” Kedres Naturinda, a resident, said. 

“No one expected him to be involved in such a crime. He is a pastor and we believed such people were incapable of such evil. We were shocked when the Police arrested him,” she added.

His troubled relationships 

According to Patrick Rutehenda, the local council chairperson of Nyaruhanda village, Amaratunga had long had a strained relationship with his brother, Baka. 

His conflicts extended beyond his family, as he was known to threaten several people in the village. “At one point, he threatened to kill me twice with a spear. I reported him to the Police, but nothing was done,” he said.

Community reactions

Levi Amaratunga’s (the deceased’s uncle) arrest shocked Kitagwenda district. Many of his followers, who had admired his gospel music and preaching, were left questioning whether his public persona concealed a sinister side. 

Mary Mugizi, the councillor representing Kabujogera parish, said, “We never understood his ways. Shortly after electing him, he began threatening us. He once told me I would never accomplish anything in life. We feared him a lot.” 

Kitagwenda district chairperson Ismail Mushemeza condemned the act, calling it deeply disappointing. 

“If he was involved in sacrificing people, God will not forgive him,” Mushemeza said. Kitagwenda district authorities have vowed to ensure justice for Maria and have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities that may be linked to child sacrifice.