Register traditional healers countrywide
Mar 07, 2009
JUST when Ugandans thought ritual murder was declining after last year’s spike, it emerges that the killers have changed tactics. By turning to young women, the killers have found a soft target that many people did not expect them to hit. This is a vice
JUST when Ugandans thought ritual murder was declining after last year’s spike, it emerges that the killers have changed tactics. By turning to young women, the killers have found a soft target that many people did not expect them to hit. This is a vice that must be fought at all costs.
Currently Uganda has more than 157,000 traditional healers who are not effectively regulated and are generally feared by local leaders. Whereas the most of them use their knowledge to heal, many are tricksters who dupe clients into committing ritual killing, while others use poisonous herbs or evil spirits to harm people.
Ritual killing did not originate from Uganda. Other parts of the world such as Europe and China have gone through periods of heightened ritual killings, but overcame them. Lessons from such countries indicate that the best way to regulate traditional medicine practice is to involve the healers.
Let the Government register all traditional healers in Uganda through the association, which must have grassroots networks throughout the country. The healers should have clearance from the LCs to operate in an area. Since traditional healers are known for shifting from place to place, they must be required to produce an LC letter from their former residence before they are allowed to settle in a new area.
Above all, the healers’ association should create a disciplinary committee in all sub-counties to enforce standards. Parliament should also make a law specifically governing traditional medicine practice in Uganda.
Currently Uganda has more than 157,000 traditional healers who are not effectively regulated and are generally feared by local leaders. Whereas the most of them use their knowledge to heal, many are tricksters who dupe clients into committing ritual killing, while others use poisonous herbs or evil spirits to harm people.
Ritual killing did not originate from Uganda. Other parts of the world such as Europe and China have gone through periods of heightened ritual killings, but overcame them. Lessons from such countries indicate that the best way to regulate traditional medicine practice is to involve the healers.
Let the Government register all traditional healers in Uganda through the association, which must have grassroots networks throughout the country. The healers should have clearance from the LCs to operate in an area. Since traditional healers are known for shifting from place to place, they must be required to produce an LC letter from their former residence before they are allowed to settle in a new area.
Above all, the healers’ association should create a disciplinary committee in all sub-counties to enforce standards. Parliament should also make a law specifically governing traditional medicine practice in Uganda.