Busoga healers split over arrests
Nov 12, 2009
A ROW has erupted among traditional healers and herbalists in Busoga region following several arrests of their members by the Police.
By Charles Kakamwa
A ROW has erupted among traditional healers and herbalists in Busoga region following several arrests of their members by the Police.
The row is between members of Uganda n’eddagala lyayo led by Sylivia Namutebi and the leader of the breakaway group, New Uganda Herbalists and Healers Association, Siraje Isabirye Kinagoidhi.
During a meeting with Namutebi, popularly called Mama Fina, and her executive committee in Jinja on Monday, the healers accused Kinagoidhi of framing them so as to have them arrested.
They said many of their colleagues had been imprisoned on Kinagoidhi’s orders on claims that they were fake. “When they get you with a certificate signed by Mama Fina, you are branded fake. They tear it and arrest you. In some cases, they place human skulls in our shrines before bringing the Police,†a healer said.
Namutebi assured the members that she would stop the victimisation.
Kinagoidhi, who was outside the meeting venue at the Jinja Show Grounds, said he only arrests criminals and those who operate illegally.
A ROW has erupted among traditional healers and herbalists in Busoga region following several arrests of their members by the Police.
The row is between members of Uganda n’eddagala lyayo led by Sylivia Namutebi and the leader of the breakaway group, New Uganda Herbalists and Healers Association, Siraje Isabirye Kinagoidhi.
During a meeting with Namutebi, popularly called Mama Fina, and her executive committee in Jinja on Monday, the healers accused Kinagoidhi of framing them so as to have them arrested.
They said many of their colleagues had been imprisoned on Kinagoidhi’s orders on claims that they were fake. “When they get you with a certificate signed by Mama Fina, you are branded fake. They tear it and arrest you. In some cases, they place human skulls in our shrines before bringing the Police,†a healer said.
Namutebi assured the members that she would stop the victimisation.
Kinagoidhi, who was outside the meeting venue at the Jinja Show Grounds, said he only arrests criminals and those who operate illegally.