Police are investigating shocking claims by a 27-year-old suspect arrested over the murder of a 15-year-old schoolgirl, after he allegedly told detectives he had been involved in dozens of ritual killings. Authorities have, however, warned that the claims are unverified and should be treated with caution.
The suspect, identified as Fahad Kiranda, was arrested over the weekend in Mayuge Town Council, Mayuge District, where he had reportedly been in hiding. His arrest is linked to the killing of Sumaya Edrisa Binti, a Senior Two student at Nakaloke Secondary School, whose body was discovered on 23 March 2025 in a guesthouse in Mbale City.
According to investigators, Kiranda is suspected to have booked a room at Grace Guesthouse on the morning of the incident, saying he was expecting a girlfriend to join him later. Several hours later, staff entered the room and found the teenager dead. By that time, the suspect had already fled. The matter was reported to Nkoma Police Station, but efforts to immediately identify and track him were unsuccessful.
Police say the breakthrough came after months of intelligence-led operations carried out by crime intelligence officers in the Elgon region. The arrest was confirmed by the regional police spokesperson, Rogers Taitika, who said the operation was conducted under the command of ASP Ismael Ssenono.
During interrogation, investigators say Kiranda admitted responsibility for Binti’s murder and went further to allege involvement in 48 other killings, which he described as ritual-related. A senior police officer familiar with the case said the suspect claimed he was acting on instructions from a witch doctor and alleged that he was paid Shs 5 million for each ritual.
Despite the claims, police have stressed that there is currently no evidence to support the allegation of multiple victims. Detectives say the suspect has so far failed to provide names, locations or other details that could help identify any additional victims.
“We are treating those claims very cautiously,” the officer said. “He already has a pending case of human trafficking before court, which bears some similarities to this matter. That is why thorough verification is critical.”
Kiranda is currently being detained at Iganga Central Police Station as arrangements are made to transfer him to Mbale City, where investigations into Binti’s murder are continuing. Police say inquiries are ongoing to establish the full facts of the case and determine whether the suspect’s claims have any basis.
