Ritual murderers should face firing squad, say MPs
Dec 11, 2008
Witchdoctors who sacrifice children should be killed by firing squad, MPs on the Parliamentary Forum for Children have proposed.<br>Mathias Kasamba and Milton Muwuma yesterday said the punishment would discourage others from engaging in the gruesome act.<br>
Mary Karugaba
Witchdoctors who sacrifice children should be killed by firing squad, MPs on the Parliamentary Forum for Children have proposed.
Mathias Kasamba and Milton Muwuma yesterday said the punishment would discourage others from engaging in the gruesome act.
“Sacrificing children is a violation against humanity. We, therefore, need an operation on shrines so that witchdoctors caught with children’s body parts are put on a firing squad,†Kasamba said.
Kasamba, who is also the chairperson of the parliamentary committee on defence and internal affairs, said the matter was a security threat that needed Government intervention.
He proposed that the Government revive the Operation Wembley to crack down witchdoctors involved in ritual child sacrifice. Operation Wembley was a para-military operation carried out six years ago to crackdown on army robberies that were rampant in Kampala.
“If the Government can wedge a war against terrorists, then they must also wedge a war against those who have rebelled against humanity,†Kasamba said.
Muwuma said: “I would also support the firing squad even though I know the international community is against it. People who sacrifice children should be shot instantly so that others can learn from them.â€
The two MPs noted that although the international community prohibits killing by firing squad, the practice should be revived if it could help to eliminate the practice.
The two MPs together with other members of the forum, Rose Munyira and Moses Mukose, were talking to the press about the recent cases of child sacrifice in the country. Three people, including a wealthy businessman from Masaka, Kato Kajubi, were recently charged with ritual child sacrifice.
The MPs observed that although there is a law against witchcraft, it is hardly used. They said the Witchcraft Act of 1957 needed to be reviewed because many witchdoctors are operating under the guise of traditional healers and herbalists.
“There is need to distinguish between herbalists and witchdoctors,†Muwuma said.
The MPs urged the Government to create a board that would monitor the operations of traditional healers and herbalists.
Witchdoctors who sacrifice children should be killed by firing squad, MPs on the Parliamentary Forum for Children have proposed.
Mathias Kasamba and Milton Muwuma yesterday said the punishment would discourage others from engaging in the gruesome act.
“Sacrificing children is a violation against humanity. We, therefore, need an operation on shrines so that witchdoctors caught with children’s body parts are put on a firing squad,†Kasamba said.
Kasamba, who is also the chairperson of the parliamentary committee on defence and internal affairs, said the matter was a security threat that needed Government intervention.
He proposed that the Government revive the Operation Wembley to crack down witchdoctors involved in ritual child sacrifice. Operation Wembley was a para-military operation carried out six years ago to crackdown on army robberies that were rampant in Kampala.
“If the Government can wedge a war against terrorists, then they must also wedge a war against those who have rebelled against humanity,†Kasamba said.
Muwuma said: “I would also support the firing squad even though I know the international community is against it. People who sacrifice children should be shot instantly so that others can learn from them.â€
The two MPs noted that although the international community prohibits killing by firing squad, the practice should be revived if it could help to eliminate the practice.
The two MPs together with other members of the forum, Rose Munyira and Moses Mukose, were talking to the press about the recent cases of child sacrifice in the country. Three people, including a wealthy businessman from Masaka, Kato Kajubi, were recently charged with ritual child sacrifice.
The MPs observed that although there is a law against witchcraft, it is hardly used. They said the Witchcraft Act of 1957 needed to be reviewed because many witchdoctors are operating under the guise of traditional healers and herbalists.
“There is need to distinguish between herbalists and witchdoctors,†Muwuma said.
The MPs urged the Government to create a board that would monitor the operations of traditional healers and herbalists.