Kagadi, Uganda β A horrific attack by suspected cult members in the village of Mizizi A in Uganda’s Kagadi district on Tuesday night left at least eight people dead, including a three-year-old child, and eight others injured. The assault, highlighted by its brutal nature, unfolded about 250 kilometers west of Uganda’s capital, Kampala.
Authorities noted that the attackers, believed to be part of a recently formed cult, targeted their own family members in a shocking spree of violence. According to a statement from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the assailants descended on the village and lethally attacked numerous villagers using machetes.
βThe immediate reports suggest that a cult, which hasn’t been named yet, orchestrated these brutal attacks primarily against their relatives,β said a UPDF representative. This detail adds a layer of tragedy to the violence, as the community grapples with the reality that the perpetrators were once family and friends.
Local police confirmed the grim toll of the night’s violence, noting that among the fatalities were four children under the age of 13. Authorities responded quickly, with security forces, including military and police units, actively searching for those involved in the attacks. The rapid response resulted in the fatal shooting of two suspects by security personnel as they attempted to manage the situation.
This incident has stirred anxiety across Kagadi, notably due to its proximity to significant national assets like the Kingfisher oilfield, operated by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC). Despite the concerns, officials have clarified that there is no current evidence linking the attack to any intent to disrupt the nearby oil operations.
In the wake of the attacks, local authorities are calling on the community to stay alert and cooperate with ongoing security efforts. The event not only raises fears about safety and security in the region but also about the potential for further unexpected violence from small, radical factions within the community.
As the investigation continues, the focus is on uncovering the motives behind this devastating incident and ensuring such attacks do not happen again. The community is mourning the profound loss, trying to reconcile the present violence with their memories of the attackers as former relatives and neighbors.
Security measures have been heightened throughout Kagadi as officials work to restore peace and order to the shaken village. The tragedy of Mizizi A serves as a stark reminder of the complex security challenges that can emerge even from within tight-knit community ties.