A witchdoctor has been apprehended by law enforcement in connection with the tragic deaths of two children in Kapeke Sub-County, Kiboga District, Uganda, on April 4, 2024.
The arrest of the witchdoctor, Sulaiman Sentongo, was carried out by Crime Intelligence Operatives, who also detained two additional suspects believed to be involved in the gruesome act of beheading the children as part of a ritual sacrifice.
According to a statement issued by the police, Sulaiman Sentongo was tracked down and captured in Kireka, Kampala, during the night of April 5, 2024. His accomplice, Namuleme Maureen, was also apprehended for allegedly aiding Sentongo in escaping the crime scene on April 4, 2024.
Sulaiman Sentongo, aged 32, hails from Kirinda village, Kasega parish, Kapeke sub-county, Kiboga district, while Namuleme Maureen, aged 41, resides in Kisingiri cell, Namiremebe Bakuli ward, Rubaga division, Kampala. Both individuals are currently under custody at Kiboga CPS for further questioning, bringing the total number of arrests to three.
Initial investigations indicate that on April 3, 2024, at 10:00 PM, two children, Nantongo Sylvia (5 years old) and Nakasumba Esther (2 years old), were reported missing. Tragically, their dismembered bodies were discovered on April 4, 2024, in Kirinda village, Kasega parish, Kapeke sub-county, leading authorities to the residence of witchdoctor Sulaiman Sentongo.
In response to this appalling incident, Ms. Mariam Nalubega Sseguya, the Kiboga Resident District Commissioner (RDC), issued an order on April 5, 2024, for an identification program aimed at registering all legitimate traditional healers within the district.
Ms. Nalubega emphasized the importance of conducting the exercise effectively to root out impostors who have infiltrated the traditional healing profession over the years.
“There are numerous individuals falsely posing as traditional healers to carry out nefarious activities, tarnishing the reputation of genuine herbalists in our country. We are initiating this census to eliminate all fraudulent traditional healers involved in criminal behavior,” she stated during a security meeting held at Kirinda Village in Kiboga District. The meeting was attended by internal security officers, village chairpersons, and religious leaders.
