Kampala — HE hired a village assassin who clobbered the boy in the head with a hoe, killing him on the spot. Once this was achieved, the traditional healer and his Tanzanian wife, beheaded the 12-year-old Joseph Kasirye.

In a confession statement to the Police, Umaru Kateregga, 27, alias Bosco, and his wife Marriam Nnabukeera, 21, said they were hired to kill the boy on the request of a wealthy man who wanted the bodyparts for ritual purposes.

As soon as they beheaded the boy, the buyer arrived in his car and gave them sh350,000 as part of the sh12m he promised to pay for the job, the Police said.

However, the Police moved in and arrested them and remanded them in Masaka Central Police Station last month. On Monday, they were charged with murder at the Masaka Chief Magistrates Court and remanded in Masaka Prison.

The prosecutor said the accused and others yet to be arrested kidnapped Kasirye, killed him and cut off his head and genitals, which they sold to the wealthy businessman.

The unidentified man is on the run.

Kasirye was a son of Joseph Mugwanya, the healers' neighbour.

The crime, the court heard, took place in Kayugi village, Katwadde parish, Mukungwe sub-county, on October 27.

The court did not allow the suspects to plead since the case is of a capital nature and only tried in the High Court. The case will be mentioned again on December 12 when it comes up for mention at the High Court.