Police in Mukono District have arrested four people after human remains were allegedly discovered inside a house in Wantayi Village, Namataba Town Council.
The discovery was made during a police operation to recover a missing motorcycle, according to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala.
The suspects include Ruth Nabasiruka, 60, her daughter Esther Nababi, 35, and two other people whose identities have not yet been disclosed.
Kawala said officers unexpectedly discovered human skulls and bones inside the residence while conducting the search.
“We were conducting an operation to recover a missing motorcycle when officers discovered human skulls and bones inside the residence. Investigations are ongoing,” Kawala said.
Police said investigators also found several shrines, old bark cloths and two new mattresses at the property.
The discovery attracted a large crowd of residents, some of whom pointed investigators to several graves in the compound. Some graves reportedly had visible holes, while others appeared to have been recently covered with fresh cement.
Residents alleged that some graves had been exhumed and later sealed with cement, although the claims had not been independently verified by police by press time.
Nabasiruka admitted to exhuming and keeping human remains at the house but denied intending to harm anyone.
She said the remains were being kept for traditional Kiganda healing practices aimed at treating her children.
“I exhumed and kept the remains for traditional Kiganda healing practices to treat my children. They were not intended to harm anyone,” Nabasiruka said.
Charles Male, who identified himself as Nabasiruka’s son, alleged that his mother practised witchcraft and had forced family members out of their father’s home.
“My mother practised witchcraft and forced us out of our father’s home. We left because we feared her threats,” Male said.
He further alleged that the family home had been turned into a shrine where traditional rituals were conducted.
Male also claimed that his stepmother kept several cats, which he alleged were named after deceased members of the family.
Wantayi Village Chairperson Nalukwanzi Molly confirmed the arrests and said local leaders had previously received complaints from residents and affected families concerning activities at the property.
“Residents had raised concerns with us before this incident, and we are planning a community meeting to address their fears,” Nalukwanzi said.
Police have launched investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the remains and determine whether any criminal offences were committed.
