Witchdoctor sentenced to life imprisonment over human sacrifice

Godfrey Kizza (centre) being led by prison warders from the courtroom recently. PHOTO BY FRED MUZAALE

What you need to know:

  • After pleading guilty, Kizza’s defence lawyer Mr Robert Nazaami, pleaded with the judge not to hand the accused harsher punishment saying she should consider the circumstances under which he committed the offence.
  • The judge said she would have sentenced Kizza to death but the punishment has since been protested to by human rights activists.

A witchdoctor in Kayunga District has been sentenced to life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to charges of human sacrifice.

Mr Godfrey Kizza, a witchdoctor and a resident of Kitimbwa village in Wabwoko Sub-County, was on Friday sentenced to life imprisonment by the Mukono High court Judge, Ms Margaret Mutonyi, after he pleaded guilty to cutting off Saul Kajura’s head in human sacrifice ritual.

According to prosecution led by Ms Vicky Nabiseke, the accused committed the offence in 2016 and thereafter went into hiding but was arrested last year from Nakasongola District.

A fellow witchdoctor whom the convict had informed of the act reported him to police which led to his arrest.

Police discovered late Kajura's head in Kizza's shrine. The other body part was also discovered buried in a bush.

The deceased, who was aged 19 years was a crime preventer attached to Kitimbwa police post.

Kizza was also found in possession of two human skulls in his shrine.

After pleading guilty, Kizza’s defence lawyer Mr Robert Nazaami, pleaded with the judge not to hand the accused harsher punishment saying she should consider the circumstances under which he committed the offence.

“This young man never saw his parents and was brought up by guardians who were witchdoctors,” Mr Nizaami said.

The judge said she would have sentenced Kizza to death but the punishment has since been protested to by human rights activists.

She said life imprisonment would ensure that he doesn't go back to the society.