Traditional healers,herbalists want parliamentary seat    

Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga

Traditional healers under their Association of Uganda Ne Ddagala Lyayo have petitioned Parliament requesting to be represented in parliament and in all local governments.

In their petition which they handed over to the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga yesterday, the traditional healers requested parliament to allot them one parliamentary seat.

Presenting their demands, their president Karim Walyabira said they also want laws to be changed that at every level where there are councilors, two councilors are elected to represent them.

Noting that there are so many fraudsters who have infiltrated their work, they asked parliament to enact a law to regulate their activities and empowering them to serve better.

They expressed concern that whereas the health sector is allocated a huge sum of budget (sh1.8trillion), they are not allocated part of the money.

"Over 75% of Ugandans come to us for treatment. Even those who criticize us from churches secretly come to us for treatment. That is why we want to be given priority," they argued in their petition.

They also requested government and parliament to involve them in activities of conserving the environment, preserving traditional food and in preserving cultural norms and values including cultural sites.

Calling it alien to Ugandan culture, they condemned the common conduct of some women wearing indecently which they said has increased immorality and HIV.  

The president of the Association explained that they are very unique since they exercise their healing through the guidance of spirits of the dead and other divine powers.

They however distanced themselves from traditional healers who engage in ritual human sacrifices and eating human flesh, arguing such people are misguided by bad spirits.

The traditional healers asked for assistance to start a SACCO and an orphanage center for helping children of their deceased colleagues.

The President of the Association said they are currently carrying out a census of traditional healers with the help of government.

Speaker Rebecca Kadaga promised that their request will be presented in parliament and local government councils.

On the proposal for a legal framework under which traditional healers would operate, Kadaga said it is necessary and that parliament would consider its enactment.

She commended them for the efforts to conserve the environment and also promised to help them in getting support from the relevant government authorities like Micro support center.