Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of 17 human skulls at a site formerly used as a shrine in Kabanga Village, Mpigi Town Council. The grim find was reported by residents following a tip from two children who stumbled upon the skulls while searching for firewood on Sunday afternoon.
The site, now sealed off as a crime scene, belongs to Mr. Tabula Bbosa Lujja, a key suspect in the murder of Daniel Bbosa, the former head of the Ndiga (Sheep) Clan in Buganda Kingdom. Daniel Bbosa was brutally killed in Lungujja, a city suburb, on February 25. Lujja remains at large.
In response to the discovery, police deployed an excavator to search the shrine site for additional remains. However, the steep terrain complicated the excavation efforts, leading to the task being temporarily halted.
Mr. Sserunkuma Bbosa, a local clan member and neighbor, expressed his shock at the discovery. He recounted that the site was previously used for gatherings and worship but had no prior indications of ritualistic activities linked to Lujja.
“We saw people gather at the site for worship, but there was no information suggesting Lujja’s involvement in ritual murders. I am astonished by the discovery,” he told The Monitor newspaper.
Elifasi Mukwaya, one of the children who discovered the skulls, said they initially saw a metallic suitcase among the ruins and, alarmed, ran to notify Mr. Sserunkuma.
“We were looking for firewood when we found a suitcase. We ran away in fear and called Mr. Sserunkuma,” Mukwaya said.
The origin of the skulls and whether Lujja’s family has a history of traditional healing practices remain unclear. Mr. Israel Kazibwe Kitooke, the Buganda Kingdom information minister, condemned the use of human sacrifice, urging police to thoroughly investigate the matter to uncover the truth.
“The practice of human sacrifice is abhorred in Ganda culture. We expect a thorough investigation to clarify these disturbing findings,” Kitooke stated.
Katonga Regional Police spokesperson Mr. Majid Karim confirmed that the police are aware of the situation but have not yet made any arrests. He emphasized that further searches are needed to ensure no additional remains are present before the investigation can proceed.
“It is premature to speculate on the perpetrators of these heinous acts. We must complete our search and investigation to determine the full scope of the situation,” Karim said.
