Mbale High Court has sentenced witchdoctor Ibrahim Isiko to life imprisonment for murdering a five-year-old boy.

Isiko Ibrahim and his nephew were arrested in 2022 for murder, human sacrifice, facilitating human sacrifice, possession of instruments of human sacrifice, and aggravated trafficking in children.

Prosecution led by Aliwaali Kizito, a Chief State Attorney, said the two beheaded a five-year-old boy for human sacrifice rituals. They then buried the remaining body parts in a sugar cane plantation near the Namatata River in the Industrial Division of Mbale City.

The investigation was meticulously conducted by the Uganda Police Force with substantial support from Kyampisi Childcare Ministries, who are also caring for the survivor, a key witness in the case.

Appearing before Justice Namundi Godfrey on May 18, 2024, Ibrahim’s Isiko nephew and shrine assistant, Isiko Jamada, opted for a plea bargain. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Following his conviction, Isiko Jamada chose to testify as a prosecution witness, providing crucial evidence that contributed to the conviction of Ibrahim Isiko. Upon conviction, the court sentenced Ibrahim Isiko to natural life imprisonment.

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The National Unity Platform (NUP) opposition party has denied allegations of attack on journalists during a burial event in Lwengo District, citing conflicting accounts and absence of evidence.

“We have taken note of various statements made by some people, alleging that on May 18, 2024 during a burial in Lwengo District, some journalists were hurt by part of our security. When these allegations came to our attention, our communications team led by our spokesperson reached to the journalists who made these claims, those whom they accused, as well as the other people who attended the event,” NUP stated. 

The party noted that the versions of what transpired are very different. The onlookers who we spoke to, as well as the accused persons all denied that such an attack took place. Adding, “We reached out and requested the affected persons, who claimed to have video evidence, to provide it. They haven’t provided it yet.”

However, the party believes that the accusations are politically motivated.

“We are very concerned that some of the journalists who have struggled to drive this narrative are actually political actors working for the detractors of our party at different levels. Some have always used their social media pages to attack and disparage our party and its leadership. In the absence of any evidence linking our teams to any wrongdoing, we have every reason to believe that the whole story is cooked and politically motivated,” NUP noted in a statement.

The party added that in fact some journalists confessed that the camera apparently paraded as having been vandalized was never at the scene. It was an old, faulty camera parade to support the wild claims.

“The National Unity Platform firmly believes in media freedoms and would be the last to condone any attack on the media. We are proud of the cordial, respectful relationship we have built with the media over time and this is something we shall guard with everything. If anyone has evidence that any of our team members conducted themselves wrongly, you are encouraged to send it to us and action will be taken swiftly,” NUP guided. 

The journalists in the Greater Masaka raised their complaint of attack by NUP security during the burial of the late Pascal Ssekasamba at Manga Village in Kiseka Subcounty in Lwengo District as the situation looked scary during the party Principal Robert Kyagunyi expressed his condolences. 

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In an effort to bolster the fight against wildlife trafficking, wardens from various Conservation Areas and wildlife products store clerks are currently attending a specialized training program on the management of wildlife products stores at the Source of the Nile Hotel in Namanve.

The objective of the training is to enhance the skills of participants in combating wildlife trafficking through the implementation of strengthened security protocols for wildlife product stores. Emphasis is placed on preventing the leakage of products, which is a critical component in the overall strategy to protect Uganda’s rich biodiversity.

The training was officially opened today by the Acting Deputy Director of Field Operations, Margaret Kasumba. In her opening remarks, she emphasized the importance of effective store management in the fight against wildlife trafficking.

“This training is essential for equipping our staff with the necessary skills to secure wildlife products and prevent illegal trade. Your role is crucial in safeguarding our natural heritage, therefore ensuring that you are well-trained in managing these stores securely and effectively is a top priority,” Kasumba told participants.

Kasumba also expressed her appreciation to Stop Ivory for their support in making the training possible.

“We are deeply grateful to Stop Ivory for their financial and logistical support. Their commitment to conservation and partnership with UWA is invaluable in our efforts to protect Uganda’s wildlife,” she added.

Participants in this training include Wardens Law Enforcement from Conservation areas and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) headquarters, who serve as immediate supervisors to the wildlife products store clerks. The clerks themselves, who are directly responsible for the day-to-day management of these stores, are also in attendance. This diverse group of trainees ensures a comprehensive understanding of both supervisory and operational aspects of wildlife product store management.

The training program includes various modules focused on best practices for inventory management, security measures, and protocols for reporting suspicious activities. Participants will also engage in practical exercises designed to simulate real-world scenarios, providing them with hands-on experience in dealing with potential threats to store security.

As wildlife trafficking continues to pose a significant threat to global biodiversity, initiatives like this training session are essential in building a robust defense against illegal activities. Therefore, the collaborative efforts of UWA and Stop Ivory demonstrate a strong commitment to preserving Uganda’s wildlife heritage for future generations.

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The Ministers for Karamoja Affairs, Lokeris Peter and Wamala Nambozo Florence (State Minister) have committed to accelerating programmes aimed at transforming the Karamoja Sub-region.

During their inaugural visit to the region today, the Ministers met with stakeholders in Kotido district to introduce themselves, engage in discussions, and address pressing issues.

“We came to introduce ourselves to you, the stakeholders, interact and discuss issues with a view of tackling them head-on to improve and transform the Karamoja Sub-region,” said Hon Lokeris.

Hon. Lokeris discouraged acts of revenge among criminal elements seeking to perpetuate a cycle of criminality. He appealed to security commanders and local leaders to continue collaborating to maintain security, eradicate criminality, and pave the way for further investment opportunities to accelerate development.

Hon. Wamala Nambozo Florence, the Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs and Woman Member of Parliament for Sironko district, pledged to work closely with local leaders, particularly in efforts focused on combating food insecurity, providing water for production, and ensuring compulsory education for all children.

The meeting acknowledged that the Karamoja Development Agency (KDA) requires swift implementation to realise transformation.

Brig Gen Felix Busizoori, the Deputy Commander of 3 Division, observed that the sub-region enjoys relative peace, attributed to adherence to the existing Presidential Amnesty window, community mobilisation, and cross-border engagements.

Senior Commissioner of Police Elias Kasirabo, Commandant of the Anti-Stock Theft Unit, assured the leaders of continued support to bridge gaps by ensuring access to police services, including canine services, enhancing road checkpoints, and regulating livestock markets to curb thefts.

As a gesture of continued voluntary support for the ongoing disarmament operation, a Karacuna, Pusia Lodomosia from Jimos village, Itakwara parish, Napumpum Sub-County in Kotido district, surrendered a SubMachine Gun (Number 06779) to the UPDF Division leadership.

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