Name: Asimwe Novath.
Died: June 17, 2024 (Body found; missing May 30).
Age at death: 2.
Cause of death: Unknown; dismembered.
Location: Bulamula Village, Muleba District, Kagera Region, Tanzania.
Disability: Albinism.
Details:
Asimwe went missing from her home, kidnapped by a group of people who strangled her mother and took her away. Nineteen days later, parts of her body were found in a nearby village.
Police eventually tracked down nine suspects, including Asimwe’s father and an assistant parish priest, for being in possession of parts of Asimwe’s body, which they allegedly intended to sell for a profit. Investigators believe that the priest convinced Asimwe’s father to sell her body parts to people who believe that the body parts of a person with albinism bring luck, wealth, or success.
Case Status:
Arrested: Novart Venant (Father), Desideli Evarist, Elipidius Rwegoshora, Dastan Kaiza, Faswiru Athuman, Gozibert Alkadi, Rwenyagira Burkadi, Ramadhani Selestine, and Nurduni Hamada.
Sources:
Tanzania election: The fears that voting time brings for those with albinism
LHRC and THRDC condemn brutal murder of child with albinism in Tanzania, urge immediate action
Seven Days Without Two-Year-Old Asiimwe Novath: Concerns Grow Over Safety of People with Albinism
Fear Grips Albino Community in Tanzania As Pressure Mounts on Authorities to Ensure Its Members’ Safety As Elections Near
NTV Kenya: Tanzania: Child’s father, priest arrested in ritual killing of girl with albinism
Child’s father, Priest among nine arrested in murder of girl with albinism
Search for Missing Two-Year-Old Albino Girl Intensifies; Three Detained