Masaka Murder Suspect Kamugisha Committed to Uganda’s High Court on One Count as Co-Accused Is Cleared
Prosecutors dropped three charges, leaving one murder count, and withdrew every charge against co-accused Huzairu Kyambadde before the case went to the High Court.
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A magistrate in Masaka, Uganda, has sent the main suspect in the region's suspected ritual killings to the High Court for trial on a single count of murder, after prosecutors dropped three other charges against him and withdrew every charge against the man accused alongside him. The committal took place at the Masaka Chief Magistrate's Court on November 6, 2026, according to reports by the Uganda Radio Network, Galaxy FM and Pulse Uganda.
The accused is Kamugisha Kuraish, also reported as Kulaish or Kuraishi Kamugisha and known by the alias Fred Mujulizi. He and his co-accused, Huzairu Kyambadde, took part by video link from Luzira Prison. Prosecutor Abraham Akandranaho told Chief Magistrate Prima Kyomugisha that the charges had been amended, the Nile Post reported. After the remaining murder charge was read to Kamugisha, the magistrate committed him for trial. The prosecution had told the court that its investigation was complete.
Kyambadde, who had been accused of procuring human body parts for witchcraft, was discharged. No reason for withdrawing the charges against him has been reported. His lawyer, Pius Kabiswa, welcomed the decision and told the court his client had been cleared of all charges.
Kamugisha objected. "I do not understand why my co-accused has been cleared of all charges when he was also implicated in the crimes," he told the court, according to the Nile Post. The magistrate replied that once the case had been committed, her court had no jurisdiction over his complaint, and that he could raise it before the High Court.
No High Court trial date has been set and no judge has been assigned; Kamugisha awaits notice from the High Court. The published reports do not name the victim in the remaining murder count or give the date of the alleged offense. Kamugisha has been convicted of nothing, and the account police gave of his confessions has not been tested in court.
On November 9, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke appealed for help identifying a woman whose head and body were recovered separately near Kako, in Masaka district, at the end of September. Police described her as one of the women Kamugisha has confessed to killing, but have not said whether she is the victim in the charge he now faces. Rusoke also said the confessions must still be verified through scientific investigation. In its October 11 statement announcing the arrests, police had named a victim as Jackline Natukunda of Lukaya.
Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has publicly described Kamugisha as accused of killing at least 38 people across Masaka, Kazo, Ibanda and Kiruhura districts over 15 years. That figure is the general's claim. It is not part of any charge, and no court has heard evidence for it.
Sources
- Masaka Serial Murder Suspect Kamugisha Committed to High Court as Co-Accused Is Cleared, Nile Post
- Police appeal for identification of decapitated woman linked to Masaka serial killer suspect, The Observer (Uganda Radio Network)
- Police hunt for family of woman beheaded by suspected Masaka serial killer, Galaxy FM
- Masaka cannibalism victim remains unclaimed, police seeks help from public, Pulse Uganda
- Police Ask Public to Help Identify Woman Decapitated by Masaka ‘serial killer’, Nile Post