The police in Uganda are seeking the public's assistance in identifying a woman whose severed head and headless body were discovered at separate locations in Greater Masaka. The headless body was found at Butale Cell, Zzinga village, in Kyanamukaka on September 29, 2026, while her head was recovered at Kako Cell in Masaka District. Despite investigations and confessions from suspected serial killer Kulaish Kamugisha, no relative or friend has come forward to identify the woman.
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke stated that a reconstructed photograph of the woman has been released, and anyone who recognises her or knows her relatives is urged to contact the authorities. Kamugisha, 35, also known as Fred Mujulizi, is a moneylender from Kasala in Nyendo-Mukungwe Division, Masaka City. He was arrested in October 2026 after police recovered a woman's severed head wrapped in a white polythene bag.
Kamugisha has confessed to decapitating the woman and mutilating her body, including removing her heart. He allegedly told police that a traditional healer paid him Shs 2 million for every delivery of human body parts. The suspect has also allegedly confessed to killing people in Nsangi, Wakiso district, and Sanga, Kiruhura district, with investigators following up on those leads.
The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, recently described Kamugisha as a serial killer accused of murdering and cannibalising at least 38 people across Masaka, Kazo, Ibanda and Kiruhura districts over 15 years. However, Rusoke emphasised that although Kamugisha has made confessions, police must establish their authenticity through scientific investigation and other evidence.
On November 6, 2026, the Masaka Chief Magistrate's court committed Kamugisha to the High Court for trial after prosecutors withdrew three charges, leaving one murder charge. His co-accused, Huzairu Kyambadde, who had been accused of procuring human body parts for witchcraft, was discharged after all charges against him were withdrawn.
The investigations have prompted police to reopen murder cases dating back to 2012 in Greater Masaka and other parts of the country. These include the killing of nine members of one family in Kyotera district in 2013 and the murder of six people from two families in Kyanamukaka Sub-county in late 2012.
The police are working to establish the identities of the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice. The public's assistance is crucial in helping to identify the decapitated woman and potentially preventing further crimes. The case has raised concerns about the prevalence of serial killers and the need for increased vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and the community.
Key points
- The police are seeking the public's help to identify a woman whose severed head and headless body were found in Greater Masaka, linked to suspected serial killer Kulaish Kamugisha.
- Kamugisha has allegedly confessed to killing at least 38 people across several districts in Uganda over 15 years.
- The investigations have prompted police to reopen murder cases dating back to 2012 in Greater Masaka and other parts of the country.
