Parliament wants law on herbalists
PARLIAMENT has passed a motion urging the Government to enact a law regulating activities and practices of traditional healers and herbalists.
By Joyce Namutebi
and Catherine Bekunda
PARLIAMENT has passed a motion urging the Government to enact a law regulating activities and practices of traditional healers and herbalists.
Busongora south MP, Christopher Kibazanga (FDC), who moved the motion on Thursday pointed out that despite the fact that all traditional healers/herbalists are recognised under the Ministry of Gender, there is no institutionalised framework governing and coordinating their activities. “Recently, there have been so many incidences of human sacrifice by traditional healers and herbalists,†he said.
The motion was seconded by Rubanda West MP, Henry Banyenzaki and Kawempe South MP, Sebuliba Mutumba.
Kibazanga further noted that there is lack of a clear legal distinction in definition of a traditional healer/ herbalist, witchdoctor or wizard.
He said that in Uganda, majority of the population has greater access to traditional medicine than modern health services.
He urged the Government to condemn the activities of witchdoctors, wizards and some traditional healers. He wanted witchcraft outlawed.
State minister for health, Richard Nduhuura said with the guidance of the Government the Uganda Law Reform Commission is preparing a Bill on traditional and complementary medicine.
Alex Ndeezi, MP (PWD) gave the Government three months within which to come up with the Bill on the subject.
Rwampara MP, Charles Ngabirano urged the Government to screen movies that shown on TV, saying many of them promote witchcraft. David Bahati (Ndorwa West) also proposed banning pornographic adverts in the media.
and Catherine Bekunda
PARLIAMENT has passed a motion urging the Government to enact a law regulating activities and practices of traditional healers and herbalists.
Busongora south MP, Christopher Kibazanga (FDC), who moved the motion on Thursday pointed out that despite the fact that all traditional healers/herbalists are recognised under the Ministry of Gender, there is no institutionalised framework governing and coordinating their activities. “Recently, there have been so many incidences of human sacrifice by traditional healers and herbalists,†he said.
The motion was seconded by Rubanda West MP, Henry Banyenzaki and Kawempe South MP, Sebuliba Mutumba.
Kibazanga further noted that there is lack of a clear legal distinction in definition of a traditional healer/ herbalist, witchdoctor or wizard.
He said that in Uganda, majority of the population has greater access to traditional medicine than modern health services.
He urged the Government to condemn the activities of witchdoctors, wizards and some traditional healers. He wanted witchcraft outlawed.
State minister for health, Richard Nduhuura said with the guidance of the Government the Uganda Law Reform Commission is preparing a Bill on traditional and complementary medicine.
Alex Ndeezi, MP (PWD) gave the Government three months within which to come up with the Bill on the subject.
Rwampara MP, Charles Ngabirano urged the Government to screen movies that shown on TV, saying many of them promote witchcraft. David Bahati (Ndorwa West) also proposed banning pornographic adverts in the media.