Two nabbed for killing tortoise

Apr 21, 2009

THE Police on Friday arrested a 60-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman for slaughtering a tortoise. Saverino Bangirana, alias Rutandaro and Scovia Magezi of Nyabubare village in Bumbeire sub-county in Bushenyi district, were arrested after a tip off by r

By Chris Ahimbisibwe

THE Police on Friday arrested a 60-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman for slaughtering a tortoise. Saverino Bangirana, alias Rutandaro and Scovia Magezi of Nyabubare village in Bumbeire sub-county in Bushenyi district, were arrested after a tip off by residents.

“I got them red-handed,” said Edward Muhumuza, the officer in charge Bumbeire Police post. Muhumuza said Bangirana had extracted meat from the animal’s hard shell by the time of arrest.

Bangirana told the Police that he got the reptile from Kibaale district during a recent visit. His wife, Alen, said: “The tortoise has been in the house for two weeks, but I don’t know why he was keeping it.”

Bangirana explained that he uses tortoise extracts to treat women suffering from labour pains. He said Magezi had approached him seeking treatment and that she had already taken some pieces of tortoise meat for treatment. Magezi, however, denied it.

Area residents said Bangirana practices witchcraft.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});