Masaka couple held over beheading boy
Oct 29, 2008
THE Police in Masaka have arrested a man and his wife suspected to have beheaded a 12-year-old pupil of Kiyugi Primary School in Masaka, in what is believed to be a ritual murder.
By Dismus Buregyeya
THE Police in Masaka have arrested a man and his wife suspected to have beheaded a 12-year-old pupil of Kiyugi Primary School in Masaka, in what is believed to be a ritual murder.
The southern regional Police CID chief, Willy Panuha, identified the deceased as Joseph Kasirye, a son of Joseph Mugwanya. He was living with his grandfather, Matia Mulondo.
It is alleged that Kasirye’s killers had negotiated for sh12m to be paid by their accomplice, who wanted parts of the boy’s body.
Panuha identified the suspects as Umar Kateregga, 33 and his wife Mariam Nabukeera, 24, of Kiyugi village, Katwadde parish. The Police arrested and saved them from a charged mob that wanted to lynch them.
The murder took place on Monday at about 9:00pm, when the two allegedly beheaded Kasirye and cut off his private parts.
Panuha said the suspects reportedly killed Kasirye in their house and gave his private parts to a dealer whose identity the Police has withheld.
The couple confessed that they were only targeting the money, according to Police statements.
Kateregga said the man who wanted the boy’s private parts surprised the couple when he only delivered sh350,000 as partial payment, promising to clear the balance on accomplishment of the entire ‘mission’.
The Police said the residents apprehended the couple after the victim’s father told them that his neighbours, Nabukeera and Kateregga, were the prime suspects.
Kateregga had allegedly asked the boy to get him drinking water but later requested him to collect a cup in their house.
“We heard someone asking for drinking water and the boy provided it, but we never saw him again before we mounted a search for him together with the villagers,†the father said.
He said they later noticed the suspects handing over something to the third suspect, who is still large.
The Police said they were still hunting for the traditional healer (names withheld). “We are withholding the names of the other suspects so that it does not interfere with the investigations,†Panuha said.
He said the couple would be charged with murder.
THE Police in Masaka have arrested a man and his wife suspected to have beheaded a 12-year-old pupil of Kiyugi Primary School in Masaka, in what is believed to be a ritual murder.
The southern regional Police CID chief, Willy Panuha, identified the deceased as Joseph Kasirye, a son of Joseph Mugwanya. He was living with his grandfather, Matia Mulondo.
It is alleged that Kasirye’s killers had negotiated for sh12m to be paid by their accomplice, who wanted parts of the boy’s body.
Panuha identified the suspects as Umar Kateregga, 33 and his wife Mariam Nabukeera, 24, of Kiyugi village, Katwadde parish. The Police arrested and saved them from a charged mob that wanted to lynch them.
The murder took place on Monday at about 9:00pm, when the two allegedly beheaded Kasirye and cut off his private parts.
Panuha said the suspects reportedly killed Kasirye in their house and gave his private parts to a dealer whose identity the Police has withheld.
The couple confessed that they were only targeting the money, according to Police statements.
Kateregga said the man who wanted the boy’s private parts surprised the couple when he only delivered sh350,000 as partial payment, promising to clear the balance on accomplishment of the entire ‘mission’.
The Police said the residents apprehended the couple after the victim’s father told them that his neighbours, Nabukeera and Kateregga, were the prime suspects.
Kateregga had allegedly asked the boy to get him drinking water but later requested him to collect a cup in their house.
“We heard someone asking for drinking water and the boy provided it, but we never saw him again before we mounted a search for him together with the villagers,†the father said.
He said they later noticed the suspects handing over something to the third suspect, who is still large.
The Police said they were still hunting for the traditional healer (names withheld). “We are withholding the names of the other suspects so that it does not interfere with the investigations,†Panuha said.
He said the couple would be charged with murder.