Politicians blamed for promoting witchcraft
Oct 30, 2006
SENIOR government officials and politicians who associate with traditional healers are promoting witchcraft.
By Harriette Onyalla
SENIOR government officials and politicians who associate with traditional healers are promoting witchcraft.
According to Robby Muhumuza, the National Director of World Vision – Uganda, their relationship encourages other people to consult traditional healers.
He said this had led to the increase in cases of child abduction and sacrifice.
“Senior government officials and politicians attending official functions organised by traditional healers has enhanced their popularity and encouraged more people to consult them thus increasing chances of witchcraft,†he said.
Muhumuza was on Saturday presenting a paper at a seminar under the theme, ‘Child abductions and sacrifice: Could your child be Next?’ at Hotel Equatoria in Kampala.
The seminar was organised by Family Life Network in conjunction with Child at Risk National Coordination, Children at Risk Action Network and Uganda Child Rights NGO Network.
Muhumuza said there is a resurgence of African traditional culture and religion linked to ancestral worship and the fear of malicious spirits under the guise of traditional healers.
“In many African traditional cultures and religions, child sacrifice to appease spirits was common. However, there is a resurgence of these cultures which has given witchcraft a new lease of life,†he said.
“More people are openly coming out in the media to associate with witchcraft under the guise of traditional medical practice and associated rituals. Consulting traditional healers, diviners, witchdoctors and astrologers is touted as fashionable and nothing to be ashamed of.â€
Parents called for the strengthening of laws against child labour.
Ends
SENIOR government officials and politicians who associate with traditional healers are promoting witchcraft.
According to Robby Muhumuza, the National Director of World Vision – Uganda, their relationship encourages other people to consult traditional healers.
He said this had led to the increase in cases of child abduction and sacrifice.
“Senior government officials and politicians attending official functions organised by traditional healers has enhanced their popularity and encouraged more people to consult them thus increasing chances of witchcraft,†he said.
Muhumuza was on Saturday presenting a paper at a seminar under the theme, ‘Child abductions and sacrifice: Could your child be Next?’ at Hotel Equatoria in Kampala.
The seminar was organised by Family Life Network in conjunction with Child at Risk National Coordination, Children at Risk Action Network and Uganda Child Rights NGO Network.
Muhumuza said there is a resurgence of African traditional culture and religion linked to ancestral worship and the fear of malicious spirits under the guise of traditional healers.
“In many African traditional cultures and religions, child sacrifice to appease spirits was common. However, there is a resurgence of these cultures which has given witchcraft a new lease of life,†he said.
“More people are openly coming out in the media to associate with witchcraft under the guise of traditional medical practice and associated rituals. Consulting traditional healers, diviners, witchdoctors and astrologers is touted as fashionable and nothing to be ashamed of.â€
Parents called for the strengthening of laws against child labour.
Ends