Witch doctor, aide sentenced for life over toddler’s death

Summary:

• Masaka High Court sentences witch doctor Moses Makumbi and his accomplice to life in prison for the brutal murder of toddler Passy Mirembe.

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In a landmark ruling, Judge Margaret Nakintu Katamba of Masaka High Court handed down a life sentence to Moses Makumbi, a 77-year-old witch doctor, and his accomplice, Denis Kabuye, 43, for the savage murder of one-and-a-half-year-old Passy Mirembe. The harrowing case, which shocked the community, unfolded in Kayugi Village, Mukungwe Sub County, Masaka, back in October 2017.

Mirembe disappeared from her family home, only to be discovered two days later in a nearby forest, her body mutilated and deprived of certain body parts, hinting at a possible ritualistic motive.

Prosecutors, led by resident chief state attorney Noah Kunya, vehemently argued for the death penalty, emphasizing the egregious nature of the crime and its threat to society, particularly its children.

In contrast, defense attorney Alex Lule pleaded for leniency, citing Makumbi’s advanced age and Kabuye’s role as the primary breadwinner for his family. Despite their plea, Judge Katamba, recognizing the gravity of the offense and the local concerns regarding witchcraft, imposed a life sentence on both defendants to safeguard the community.

Residents of Kayugi Village expressed a collective sigh of relief at the verdict, admitting they had long harbored fears due to Makumbi’s presence. Peter Kalangwa, Mirembe’s father, expressed gratitude for the ruling, believing it brought a semblance of closure and justice for his daughter.

Agnes Nankya, another villager, recounted similar incidents in the past, citing the 2008 case of Joseph Kasirye, whose brutal murder bore striking similarities, potentially driven by ritualistic practices. In that case, businessman Kato Kajubi was implicated and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.

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