The Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, is speaking out hard against a surge in ritual murders. He focused specifically on killings targeting children. In a recent message, he said these brutal crimes are terrorizing communities and wrecking public safety. He mentioned reports of missing kids who are later found dead, often with their bodies mutilated. Many people thought this kind of violence was over, but he stated it has clearly come back.
Police numbers show this is a real problem, with cases going up each year. Their data indicates that at least seventy-eight ritual killings happened last year. Children are a big part of the victim count. Authorities connect many of these crimes to networks preying on superstitions about getting rich or powerful fast. This is mostly happening in rural areas across central and eastern Uganda. The Kabaka also warned about violent gangs coming back, like groups with machetes that attack people at night. He said this mix of ritual murder and organized crime is making everyone less secure.
He called on parents and whole communities to be extra careful in guarding their kids, especially during holiday times. He pushed security forces to try harder to protect people and their things, saying that not acting boldly just makes criminals more confident and destroys public trust. The Kabaka called life protection a shared job, highlighting the need for good morals, watchful neighbors, and teamwork between cultural leaders, local officials, and the government. Human sacrifice is actually illegal under a specific law, but watchdog groups point out that the rules are not always enforced well. Many cases also never get reported because witnesses are scared of revenge.
Police numbers show this is a real problem, with cases going up each year. Their data indicates that at least seventy-eight ritual killings happened last year. Children are a big part of the victim count. Authorities connect many of these crimes to networks preying on superstitions about getting rich or powerful fast. This is mostly happening in rural areas across central and eastern Uganda. The Kabaka also warned about violent gangs coming back, like groups with machetes that attack people at night. He said this mix of ritual murder and organized crime is making everyone less secure.
He called on parents and whole communities to be extra careful in guarding their kids, especially during holiday times. He pushed security forces to try harder to protect people and their things, saying that not acting boldly just makes criminals more confident and destroys public trust. The Kabaka called life protection a shared job, highlighting the need for good morals, watchful neighbors, and teamwork between cultural leaders, local officials, and the government. Human sacrifice is actually illegal under a specific law, but watchdog groups point out that the rules are not always enforced well. Many cases also never get reported because witnesses are scared of revenge.
