MPs order probe into ritual killings
May 19, 2009
PARLIAMENT has passed a resolution urging the Government to institute a judicial commission of inquiry into the rampant human sacrifice and trafficking in persons.
By Catherine Bekunda
and Joyce Namutebi
PARLIAMENT has passed a resolution urging the Government to institute a judicial commission of inquiry into the rampant human sacrifice and trafficking in persons.
The plenary session presided over by Speaker Edward Ssekandi gave the Government a deadline of two weeks to act.
Third Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Kirunda Kivejinja, however, said the time was short.
He also said money was required to do the job.
To this, Ssekandi responded: “We are talking about life here. This is very urgent and we cannot let it continue.â€
The commission is expected to carry out public hearings and investigate the mysteries surrounding human sacrifice.
Earlier, Kivejinja briefed Parliament on the cases of human sacrifice from January to March.
Kivejinja said 11 deaths suspected to be ritualistic were registered. He explained that 212 persons were reported missing over the same period.
Kivejinja, however, noted that not all the disappearances were linked to human sacrifice.
Kampala, he said, had 146 missing persons, followed by Wakiso with 16 and Kayunga, nine.
He said there were three attempts to sell children in Kampala Mbarara and Mubende.
“But the sellers did not mind whether the children would eventually be sacrificed or not,†he told the MPs.
Kivejinja said 74 persons had been rescued from murderers.
He said: “The Police have made some arrests in connection with incidents related to human sacrifice as follows: Kampala, 22, Kaliro, 12, Mubende, 1, Pallisa, 6 Kiboga, 7, Mbale, 3, Bugiri, 3, Wakiso, 1, Mpigi, 1 and Nakasongola, 1.â€
and Joyce Namutebi
PARLIAMENT has passed a resolution urging the Government to institute a judicial commission of inquiry into the rampant human sacrifice and trafficking in persons.
The plenary session presided over by Speaker Edward Ssekandi gave the Government a deadline of two weeks to act.
Third Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Kirunda Kivejinja, however, said the time was short.
He also said money was required to do the job.
To this, Ssekandi responded: “We are talking about life here. This is very urgent and we cannot let it continue.â€
The commission is expected to carry out public hearings and investigate the mysteries surrounding human sacrifice.
Earlier, Kivejinja briefed Parliament on the cases of human sacrifice from January to March.
Kivejinja said 11 deaths suspected to be ritualistic were registered. He explained that 212 persons were reported missing over the same period.
Kivejinja, however, noted that not all the disappearances were linked to human sacrifice.
Kampala, he said, had 146 missing persons, followed by Wakiso with 16 and Kayunga, nine.
He said there were three attempts to sell children in Kampala Mbarara and Mubende.
“But the sellers did not mind whether the children would eventually be sacrificed or not,†he told the MPs.
Kivejinja said 74 persons had been rescued from murderers.
He said: “The Police have made some arrests in connection with incidents related to human sacrifice as follows: Kampala, 22, Kaliro, 12, Mubende, 1, Pallisa, 6 Kiboga, 7, Mbale, 3, Bugiri, 3, Wakiso, 1, Mpigi, 1 and Nakasongola, 1.â€