By Egessa Hajusu
RESIDENTS of Buwhera village in Buyanga sub-county in Busia district have banished a man from their village for allegedly practicing witchcraft.

Robert Barasa, 24, was banished from the village after a meeting held at Buwhera on Tuesday. Karim Sityabude, who is field operations chief of the Uganda traditional healers Busia Chapter, was present at the meeting.

Villagers had searched Barasa’s shrine and found blood-stained clothes, human bones and the hides and horns of animals.

Over 300 angry residents accused Barasa of sending spirits to harass and kill people and livestock in the area.

Area LC1 chairman Milton Ouma said six people, 100 goats and 20 cows had died under unclear circumstances and that Barasa had been overheard boasting that he had taught villagers a lesson. Sityabude said Barasa had been banished from Dolwe Island in Bugiri district and Lumino, Masaba and Buhehe sub-counties in Busia district over witchcraft.

The residents threatened to lynch Barasa, but Sityabude assured them that he would hand him over to the Police.