Reports of a Ugandan village, Rakai, where humans allegedly fed on their fellow humans, have been debunked.
These reports, which included claims of missing relatives, exhumed fresh bodies, and horrifying stories, were found to be largely speculative.
Wode Maya traveled to Rakai to investigate these claims. He spoke with local residents who shared stories of human blood, clothes, and hair being discovered in some areas, but confirmed that there was no concrete evidence of cannibalism.
The village had attracted significant media attention, with foreign journalists frequently visiting.
The situation was portrayed as so dangerous that Wode Maya and his team were scared before and during their trip, fearing the worst.
Upon arrival, Wode Maya found the community peaceful, with residents going about their daily activities.
He visited the community center and learned that while there were suspicions about some tribes practicing cannibalism, no evidence substantiated these claims.
One resident explained that some people suspected of cannibalism had been arrested and subsequently died in prison or were expelled from the village.
"They were chased out made to leave their properties behind. We didn’t find any human flesh so we cannot state that the practice was real. I’d say they were being witch-hunted," the resident said.
Wode Maya also met with a man who was reportedly the last surviving member of the so-called ‘Cannibal’ family.
The man spoke about the stigma and hardship he has faced since the rumours began.
He recounted the arrest and death of his younger brother, who was falsely accused of transporting human flesh, and the subsequent destruction of his wealth and status.
"My little brother was arrested and died in prison because they had claimed that his motorbike was used to carry human flesh. I was once wealthy with two wives, but now I am left with nothing. My reputation is ruined, and I am destitute," he said tearfully while kneeling and pleading for help.
Moved by the man's plight, Wode Maya gifted him $1,000, equivalent to 3.6 million Ugandan shillings.
Watch the video below:
EB/OGB