Witchdoctor, and three others arrested over suspected human sacrifice

Four people, including a witch doctor, have been arrested in Busia district over suspected human sacrifice.

The quartet was arrested in Namaubi B village, Dabani sub-county following the death of Mr Richard Ocheng, 38, a resident of Paya in Tororo district but was operating a bakery in Busia.

“We have arrested a witchdoctor identified as Suleiman Wandera and his three accomplices over acts related to human sacrifice,” Mr Moses Mugwe, the Bukedi South police publicist said in an interview on Tuesday.
According to Mr Mugwe, the witch doctor was found with the body parts of the deceased, including toes, which were reportedly locked up in a grain store in Namaubi.

Police theorise that after the suspects killed Mr Ocheng, they locked up his body in the store as they figured out how to dispose of it.
Mr Ibrahim Muluku, the Namaubi B Village LC1 chairperson said the witch doctor was pursued by residents after a local dog got a hint.

“Residents were alerted by a barking dog and when two young men came out of the house, they found the witch doctor around an incomplete septic tank; he tried running away but with the help of the dog we arrested him,” Mr Muluku said.

Muluku added that after the witch doctor was arrested, he told residents that he had a body hidden in a grain store belonging to Busia produce dealers’ multipurpose project.

A police search at the witch doctor’s premises recovered bones, human hair, suspected human blood, and other fetishes which were taken for a forensic investigation, according to one of the investigating officers who declined to be named.

The investigating source said a postmortem investigation revealed that the deceased lacked blood, while some of his toes had been clipped.

Mr Mugwe said the witch doctor and his suspected accomplices will be charged with murder as soon as police investigations are completed.