Self-proclaimed Ugandan healer charged with 24 human skulls

A Ugandan man has reportedly been found with 24 human skulls that he may have used for human sacrifice, with police telling the BBC he could face life in prison for the crime.

Police spokesman Patrick Onyango said the suspect, Ddamulira Godfrey, would be charged under the Prevention and Prohibition of Human Sacrifice Act.

Animal remains and skins were also found at Mr Godfrey’s shrine on the outskirts of the capital Kampala.

Police are still searching Mr Godfrey’s shrine in the hope of finding more human remains.

Warning: This story contains an image that some people may find disturbing.

“We are first charging him under the Prevention and Prohibition of Human Sacrifice Act, which prohibits the possession of human body parts and instruments for human sacrifice,” Mr Onyango said.

“If found guilty, he will receive a life sentence.”

Mr Godfrey claims to be a traditional healer and herbalist. However, the country’s Traditional Healers’ Association has distanced itself from him.

This is not the first time such a shocking discovery has been made in Uganda in recent weeks.

Last month, police found 17 human skulls at a shrine in the central Mpigi district, about 41 kilometres from Kampala.

Both discoveries have been linked to human sacrifice for ritual purposes.

In many African countries, people believe that magical amulets made from human body parts bring good luck, for example to become rich, or to curse their enemies.