Six cases of mutilation and murder of children as “good luck” sacrifices were reported in Uganda during the country’s recent elections, Reuters news agency reports a children’s charity to say.
“Child sacrifice cases are common during election time as some people believe blood sacrifices will bring wealth and power,” said Shelin Kasozi of Kyampisi Childcare Ministries (KCM), a charity that cares for survivors of attempted child sacrifice.
Kasozi said the cases were reported between October 2015 and February 2016 in Ssembaule, Mukono, Buikwe and Mubende districts in central Uganda.
Suspects had reportedly been apprehended but the cases are yet to go to court.
Moses Binoga, coordinator of the anti-trafficking task force at the interior ministry, is reported to say children had been reported missing in the election period. But he could not confirm KCM’s reports and said investigations were ongoing.
He said seven child and six adult sacrifice cases were reported in the country in 2015, compared to nine child and four adult sacrifice cases reported in 2014.
Binoga said the mutilated bodies of children and adults had been found, some with hearts or livers ripped out. In two cases reported last year the victims’ heads were missing, he said.
Uganda held its general elections on February 18, with long-serving leader Yoweri Museveni being declared winner of the presidential poll, extending his thirty-year-old rule.
The East African country’s opposition however disputed the results, accusing the electora;l commission of malpractises to favour the incumbent.
Kizza Besigye has been put under house arrest, accused of wanting to incite the public to hold demonstrations.
