Seventeen human skulls buried in metal boxes were discovered at a suspected shrine in Kabanga village, near Mpigi town in central Uganda on Monday.
The discovery was made by children searching for firewood. The children alerted local residents, who informed the police.
“We swiftly moved in and dug up the place, and so far we have recovered 17 human skulls,” Katonga Regional Police spokesperson, Majid Karim, said.
Karim reported that the skulls were found in metallic boxes buried at the site.
Police have begun excavations to ensure no additional remains are buried there and are examining the skulls to determine their age, sex, and burial timeline. The site has been sealed off as a crime scene.
“We are conducting more excavations to ensure there are no more skulls other than what we have so far recovered,” he said.
The investigation has been complicated by the fact that the suspected owner of the shrine, Mr Tabula Bbosa Lujja, is on the run. Lujja is linked to a separate case involving the murder of a prominent traditional leader, Daniel Bbosa, in February.
The exact connection between Lujja and the skulls is unclear, as is how they ended up at the site.
Local residents reported that the site was previously used for worship, but there was no prior information about ritual murders.
Police are using an excavator to dig up the site, though the steep terrain has made the process difficult.
Residents expressed shock at the discovery, noting that while gatherings at the site were common, there was no prior indication of ritualistic activities. The community has been urged to stay calm as the investigation continues.
Buganga Kingdom’s information minister, Israel Kazibwe Kitooke, condemned the practice of human sacrifice as abhorrent in Ganda culture and called for a thorough investigation.
No arrests have been made yet, and police are working to gather more information and determine who is responsible.
“It is too early to speculate who is behind these heinous acts because the owner of the shrines cannot be traced now. We still need to carry out more search to ensure that there no more skulls and thereafter embark on our investigations,” Karim said.