“I Was Going to Sell It For Ritual” — Man Caught with Friend’s Severed Head in a Bag Reveals

A man in Uganda’s Nakasongola District has shocked the nation after he was arrested while carrying the severed head of his friend, allegedly on his way to sell it in Kampala for ritual purposes.

The suspect, identified as John Isoke, was intercepted by residents of Kyandigita-Bujumbula Village in Nabiswera Sub-county on Tuesday morning.

He was carrying the head wrapped in a brown polythene bag when villagers became suspicious and chased him down.

According to Savannah Region Police Spokesperson SP Sam Twiineamazima, the incident was discovered after Ketty Namuga, a local farm manager and Isoke’s former employer, found the headless body of her employee, Herbert Ameir.

She had returned to the farm that morning with a newly hired worker when she noticed Isoke acting suspiciously near the scene.

“We saw him walking away quickly with a bag. Something felt wrong. When we went to check, we found Ameir dead and without a head,” Namuga told police.

She immediately raised an alarm, prompting residents to pursue Isoke. He dropped the bag during the chase, and upon being caught, he was handed over to Migyera Police Station.

When questioned by officers, Isoke confessed to the brutal act.

“I was taking it to Kampala to sell!” he reportedly told police, explaining that he intended to deliver the head to Kisenyi, a downtown area of Kampala, where he hoped to sell it to a traditional healer for ritual purposes.

A blood-stained panga was found near the body, suspected to be the murder weapon.

Police say investigations are ongoing at Nakasongola Police Station to determine the full motive behind the crime and whether other individuals are involved in a possible ritualistic criminal ring.

The case has sent shockwaves across the region, with local leaders and human rights groups condemning the act and calling for increased surveillance and public education about the dangers of human sacrifice and superstition-based violence.

“This is evil. We must speak out and protect our communities,” said a local elder during a community meeting held after the arrest.

Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding similar incidents or suspected ritual activities to come forward immediately.

Police have promised to ensure justice is served and said the suspect will face murder and other related charges.