Uganda Arrests Man Accused of Killing and Eating 38 People Over 15 Years

Ugandan security forces have arrested a man accused of killing and consuming parts of 38 people over a 15-year period, according to the country’s military chief. The announcement has renewed attention to a series of unsolved killings in southwestern Uganda, although investigators have yet to publicly establish the full extent of the suspect’s alleged involvement.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, announced on October 26, 2026, that security forces had arrested a man identified as Moses Mujurizi. In a post on social media, Kainerugaba alleged that the suspect was responsible for killings between 2010 and 2025 in the districts of Masaka, Ibanda and Kazo.

The military chief described the suspect as one of the country’s most notorious alleged serial killers and cannibals, and said he would face a public trial. His announcement included a photograph of the man in custody. However, the post did not provide a full list of the alleged victims or detailed evidence connecting the suspect to all 38 deaths.

Reports by Uganda’s Daily Monitor and other local media have linked the case to a history of violent attacks in the Greater Masaka region. Several killings were reported in 2012 and 2013, including attacks in which multiple members of families were killed. Investigators have previously examined cases involving home invasions and attacks with machetes.

The relationship between those earlier crimes and the newly announced arrest remains an important question. Local reporting has referred to suspects with similar names, including Moses Mujurizi and Fred Mujulizi. Some reports describe previous arrests and alleged escapes from custody, but available information does not conclusively establish whether every account concerns the same individual. Authorities will need to clarify the suspect’s identity and the links between the historical cases.

The latest announcement has prompted renewed calls for investigators to review unresolved homicide cases, identify victims and examine available forensic evidence. Establishing connections across incidents spanning many years may require careful comparison of case files, witness statements and physical evidence.

Kainerugaba also said the suspect would be tried publicly and referred to the death penalty. Such remarks reflect the military chief’s position, not a judicial determination of guilt or sentence. The allegations must be tested through the appropriate legal process, and the suspect is entitled to a fair trial.

The case has also raised questions about earlier investigations and reports that suspects in related cases may have escaped custody or been released under disputed circumstances. If substantiated, those allegations could lead to further scrutiny of police procedures, detention arrangements and oversight. At present, however, the details require independent verification.

As of October 29, Ugandan media had reported the arrest, but a comprehensive list of the alleged victims and a court finding establishing the 38 killings had not been made public in the reports reviewed. Investigations are continuing, and the central issues remain whether the suspect can be linked to the individual cases and what evidence will be presented in court.

The arrest marks a significant development in a case that has drawn national attention. Its full implications will depend on transparent investigative findings, reliable evidence and the outcome of judicial proceedings.