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MBALE - The High Court in Mbale on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, sentenced witchdoctor Ibrahim Isiko to serve his natural life in prison after being found guilty on multiple charges, including murder, human sacrifice, facilitating human sacrifice, possession of instruments of human sacrifice, and aggravated trafficking in children.

Jacquelyn Okui, the public relations officer office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (ODPP), said the conviction marks a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to eradicate human sacrifice and child trafficking in Uganda.

Two brothers, Jamadah Isiko and Ibrahim Isiko, were  arrested in Mbale in September 2022  in connection with the murder of a five-year-old boy.

The victim is said to have disappeared from his home in Cisse cell, Namatala ward in Mbale Industrial City Division, three weeks prior.

Cisse cell LC1 chairperson Gumono Abedi identified the suspects as Jamadah Isiko and Ibrahim Isiko who were witchdoctors and residents of Kiduda cell in the city.

Jamadah led the police detectives to the crime scene in a sugarcane plantation near the River Namatala on Kabwangasi Road in Namabasa ward, Mbale city.

While at the crime scene, investigators discovered only the bones of the body parts and a T-shirt believed to be of the deceased, covered with grass and sand.

Jamadah allegedly confirmed knowledge of the murder of the boy.

He pinned the boy's beheading and taking of the body to the plantation for rituals, on Ibrahim, his elder brother.

“In a significant victory against human sacrifice and child trafficking, the High Court of Uganda in Mbale, presided over by Justice Godfrey Namundi, convicted witchdoctor Ibrahim Isiko on multiple charges, including murder, human sacrifice, facilitating human sacrifice, possession of instruments of human sacrifice, and aggravated trafficking in children.

Upon conviction, the court sentenced Isiko Ibrahim to natural life imprisonment,” Okui said.

Okui noted that earlier, on May 18, 2024, Isiko’s nephew and shrine assistant, Jamadah opted for a plea bargain.

“He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Following his conviction, Jamadah chose to testify as a prosecution witness, providing crucial evidence that contributed to the conviction of Isiko Ibrahim,” she added.

Okui explained that the case involved a gruesome incident where the duo beheaded a 5-year-old boy for human sacrifice rituals.

“They then buried the remaining body parts in a sugar cane plantation near Namatata River in the Industrial Division of Mbale City,” she stated.

Okui said the investigation was meticulously conducted by the Uganda Police Force with substantial support from Kyampisi Childcare Ministries, who are also caring for the survivor, a key witness in the case.

The prosecution was represented by Aliwaali Kizito, a Chief State Attorney in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.