Down Memory Lane: When witchcraft fears haunted Ugandan athletes

In 2010, Uganda’s athletics golden boy, Commonwealth Games double champion Moses Kipsiro, shocked the nation when he withdrew from the World Championships, citing fears of witchcraft. At the time, many dismissed his claims as mere superstition.

But a visit to the highlands of Eastern Uganda revealed a troubling reality: Kipsiro was not alone. Several athletes in the Sebei region said they too had been forced to flee their villages or live in fear of spiritual attacks.

Where Kipsiro’s woes began

The trouble started after President Yoweri Museveni rewarded Kipsiro with sh100m to celebrate his Commonwealth triumph. The athlete proposed splitting the money across three districts, Bukwo, Kapchorwa, and Kween,  so communities could celebrate together.

However, once the funds were wired to Bukwo District, officials allegedly diverted all the money to a single party. Furious, Kipsiro accused them of corruption and openly supported Wilson Solimo against incumbent Paul Chelimo in the district elections.

That marked the beginning of hostility. Soon after, Kipsiro fell gravely ill with typhoid, taking weeks to recover. Convinced he had been bewitched, he reported the matter to police. Investigations stalled, with authorities dismissing the claims as hearsay.

Fear spreads among athletes

Kipsiro was not the only one living in fear. Rising talents like Jacob Araptany and Patrick Chebotwo echoed the same concerns. They argued that athletes were frequent targets of jealousy because of the belief that representing Uganda meant instant wealth.

“They call you Mzee and expect you to spend on them,” said Araptany. “When you stop giving, they turn to witchcraft.”

The fear ran so deep that some athletes cut training sessions short whenever suspected witch doctors appeared nearby. Others sought refuge in training camps in Western Kenya, while those without means endured the anxiety at home.

Community tensions and tragedy

Local journalists confirmed that witchcraft was part of everyday whispers. Lawrence Mangusho, editor of Sabiny Today, explained:

“People believe witch doctors can take the soil where you stepped and use it to bring you bad luck. Everyone in the community knows who they are.”

These beliefs sometimes turned deadly. Kapchorwa Police reported two mob killings of alleged witches, elderly women accused of dark powers,  in just two years. In one tragic case, a woman was thrown off a cliff after being branded a witch by locals.

Authorities dismiss witchcraft fears

Police and elders in the region often brushed off witchcraft as a mix of fear, ignorance, and psychology. District Police Commander Patrick Biingi argued:

“What these athletes need are good coaches who train them physically and mentally. Witchcraft does not exist — people just lack education.”

Badru Sabira, an elder and NCS board member, agreed, describing witchcraft as “psychological, often used in polygamous families where jealousy thrives.”

Still, athletes like Kipsiro remained unconvinced, with many opting to distance themselves from Bukwo and relocate to Kapchorwa for safety.

A lingering question

While Uganda has laws touching on witchcraft, prosecutions remain rare. Courts continue to receive several related cases each week, but most are dismissed for lack of evidence.

And so, the debate continues. Is witchcraft truly a force haunting Uganda’s athletes, or is it fear and suspicion magnified by community rivalries?

Back in 2011, one thing was clear: whether real or imagined, the fear of witchcraft was powerful enough to disrupt the careers, and lives  of some of Uganda’s finest athletes.