By Obbo Yusuf obboyusuf43@gmail.com
The High Court in Iganga on Tuesday sentenced a one Hassan Kafudde to 52 years imprisonment after finding him guilty of killing a 6 years old boy in ritual sacrifice.
On 6th /june/2017 its alleged that Hassan kafudde participated in a ritual sacrifice in search for quick wealth by chopping off the head of a child (muyita Hassan )at musita village in Mayuge district .
The deceased was a son to Muyita Issa resident of Kawempe and a pupil of Mirembe Junior school.
After the incident, police investigated into the matter and arrested 3 suspects Muyita Issa the father to the late, Hassan Kafudde and Kabale Mubarak who were charged with one count of child Trafficking contrary to section 4(a) and 5(c) of the prevention of trafficking in persons Act
Muyita Issa pleaded guilty and entered a plea bargain, he also offered to testify against the co-accused. He told court that he was with friend Hassan Kafudde when he sacrificed his son
Muyita also confessed to court that he walked with Hassan Kafudde from Musita trading centre to the sugarcane plantation,
He told court that he brought his son from school to Musita and gave him to Hassan kafudde for a deal, the idea of sacrificing the son in a ritual murder was to get riches from Hassan, who later slaughtered the boy using a big long knife.
However, his pre bargain couldn’t save him from court punishment since he was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment.
After spending 6 years on remand the two other remaining co accused Hassan Kafudde and Kabaale Mubaraka on Tuesday appeared before Iganga high court for final ruling, in his ruling justice David Batema founds Hassan kafudde guilty of the offense
“I find Hassan Kafudde guilty of sacrificing the child Muyita Juma in a ritual murder contrary to sections 4(a) and 5(c) of the prevention of trafficking in persons Act, He stands convicted of trafficking in persons as charged. I therefore sentence Hassan Kafudde to 52 years imprisonment in Jinja main prison “said Justice Batema
Justice Batema however set free Kabale Mubaraka Justice.
“I have been satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the accused Kabale Mubaraka knew of the ritual sacrifice of the deceased child by the Hassan Kafudde and Muyita Issa but he did not report to police and therefore I find him guilty of being an accessory of trafficking in children contrary to section 394 of the penal code Act, And since he has been on remand for 6 years he has already served the sentence and hence I have set him free ”
Jackline Okui the spokesperson for the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) said that the sentence has at least served justice to the victim’s family and sent out a strong warning to the perpetuators of ritual sacrifices.
She urged members of the public to distance themselves from evil acts that would entice them into committing crimes related to ending lives of others.
“We call upon parents to distance themselves from the acts of sacrificing children for whatever reason be it acquisition of wealth since wealth is through hard work and thus no one should lie to you that one can get rich through killing others. The perpetrators will always be punished by laws of Uganda. “said Jackie .
Human rights advocates attached to kyampisi child’s ministries Waiswa Mugerwa who attended court hailed court for the ruling and called upon the public to be always be vigilant of the self-seekers .
“We are happy that finally justice has been served. The sentence sends a clear warning to those involved in evil businesses ,we are here to support the oppressed ones attain justice ,children are Gifts from God and they are protected by the law ,there is no gain out of sacrificing them but rather hell and jail.
The Eastern side takes lead in child trafficking and sacrifice cases but Kyampisi children’s ministry is fighting hard with courts of law to end this. The law shall hunt for you even when you sacrifice your own child because everyone is entitled to the freedom to live “said Mugerwa Waiswa
As Hassan Kafudde was returned to Jinja Main Prison to serve his punishment, relatives of Kabale Mubaraka ,were jubilating ,thanking court for letting their son free after spending 6 years on remand as court was collecting the much needed evidence to serve justice .
