Terror at Nakivale camp : hunted albinos, a mother and her children mysteriously disappear

SOS Médias Burundi
Nakivale, June 10, 2025 – At the Nakivale refugee camp, located in the Isingiro district of southwest Uganda, the albino community is experiencing a growing climate of anxiety. The recent disappearance of Gloriose, a Burundian albino refugee, and two of her children has rekindled fears of targeted attacks linked to superstitious beliefs and witchcraft practices. This tragedy comes at a time when several similar cases have been reported in the region, exacerbating the vulnerability of some fifty albinos living in the camp. Local authorities and specialized NGOs, such as Alight, have launched investigations to end this manhunt and ensure the safety of these vulnerable populations.
The albino community in Nakivale camp is in shock after the mysterious disappearance of one of its members and two of her children. The police have made several arrests, and an investigation is underway.
The incident began last month. Gloriose, a Burundian refugee with albinism, left her village of Kashojwa B, located in Nakivale camp, accompanied by her three children. She has never returned since.
Last week, an unexpected development rekindled concerns : the eldest of her children, a boy of about eight years old, reappeared alone, accompanied by a woman. It was he who announced the terrible news, which the authorities have not yet officially confirmed.
« The boy came with a woman because he no longer recognized his parents’ house. Seeing his father and the neighbors, he said he saw his mother killed by unknown assailants. But he is unable to locate the location of the crime, » reports a community leader.
The police were alerted and immediately launched an investigation. The first suspect arrested was the woman who brought the child back. « Her statements were ambiguous and contradictory, which is why we detained her, » says a police source.
The second suspect is the victim’s husband. Although he does not have albinism, he had not reported the disappearance of his wife and children to the camp authorities, the police, or humanitarian organizations. Moreover, according to neighbors’ accounts, the couple frequently argued. « We often had to intervene to try to calm the situation, » they confided.
The two suspects are currently held at Kabingo central prison, not far from Nakivale, in Isingiro District.
At the same time, the NGO Alight, which works to protect vulnerable populations, including people with albinism, is working with the police to shed light on this case.
But there is great concern within the camp’s small albino community, which numbers around fifty members living in the same village.
« We are terrified. This reminds us of dark times when albinos were hunted down and killed, » laments a member of the community.
For fear of reprisals, they now avoid leaving the camp and are demanding special protection.
This is not a new phenomenon in Uganda : several people with albinism, including refugees, have been killed in recent years, in various locations and circumstances. These crimes are believed to be motivated by occult beliefs and witchcraft practices aimed at using albino organs for rituals.
The Nakivale camp currently hosts more than 150,000 refugees, including more than 33,000 Burundians.
Call for the protection of albinos
Faced with this wave of targeted violence, it is urgent that the Ugandan authorities, in collaboration with humanitarian agencies, strengthen the protection of albinos who have taken refuge in Nakivale. These vulnerable populations must benefit from enhanced security and psychosocial support to escape the shadow of fear.