KAMPALA, Jan 31 (NNN-NEW VISION) — THE number of people killed in human sacrifice is on the rise in Uganda. According to a report obtained from the Police, the number of people killed in human sacrifice increased from three in 2007 to 25 in 2008 and 29 in 2009.

In addition, a total of 123 people were still missing by the end of 2009, the majority of them, or 90, were children. Most of them are suspected to having become victims of human sacrifice.

To date, 125 suspects have been arrested and 54 were taken to court. They were charged with criminal offences such as murder, abductions, kidnap, causing harm and attempting to sell children. However, nobody has been convicted so far.

Altogether 1,213 people went missing in the course of last year but the majority of them were traced.

Kampala district emerged as the most dangerous place, with 956 people gone missing for at least a few days during 2009. This was followed by Wakiso district with 98 missing people, Mityana with19 and Kayunga with 16 missing people.

Masaka, Mukono and Jinja each had 14 cases. Of the 29 confirmed ritual murders last year, three were in Kampala while Jinja, Mukono and Mityana each had two.

Other districts that recorded ritual murders were Kabale, Kamuli, Soroti, Ntungamo, Bushenyi, Pader, Kaliro, Kiboga, Gulu, Jinja, Masaka, Mbale, Oyam, Kitgum, Apac, Ibanda, Kabarole (Fort Portal) and Nakasongola.

The report indicates that most tribes traditionally sacrificed livestock for good luck.

However, only in recent years have Ugandans started sacrificing human beings. According to the Police, most of the bodies of sacrifice victims were found with missing body parts; the majority of them were children. — NNN-NEW VISION

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