Kayunga residents demolish shrines
Oct 29, 2009
RESIDENTS of Kaazi village in Kayunga district have demolished three shrines belonging to a traditional healer after he confessed to have been practicing witchcraft to stop rain.
By Charles Jjuuko
RESIDENTS of Kaazi village in Kayunga district have demolished three shrines belonging to a traditional healer after he confessed to have been practicing witchcraft to stop rain.
They also accused Nakuzabasajja Matovu of possessing evil spirits that allegedly caused the death of some residents. In a meeting presided over by the LC1 chairperson, Stephen Mutyaba, on Saturday, Matovu, who operated the shrines behind his home, confessed to have been practising witchcraft, which he said led to a long dry spell that resulted into the destruction of crops.
The residents unanimously passed a resolution banishing him from the village. Matovu, however, apologised, saying he would not engage in witchcraft again.
“I do not have anywhere to go and ask my fellow residents to forgive me because I was born and grew up in this village,†he pleaded. The residents forgave Matovu and ordered him to destroy all his shrines and uproot the charms he had planted around his home, which he agreed to.
The destruction of the shrines was witnessed by the Police and traditional healers. Badru Ssemisambwa, the chairperson of traditional healers in the district, said Matovu had not registered with them and lacked a licence.
RESIDENTS of Kaazi village in Kayunga district have demolished three shrines belonging to a traditional healer after he confessed to have been practicing witchcraft to stop rain.
They also accused Nakuzabasajja Matovu of possessing evil spirits that allegedly caused the death of some residents. In a meeting presided over by the LC1 chairperson, Stephen Mutyaba, on Saturday, Matovu, who operated the shrines behind his home, confessed to have been practising witchcraft, which he said led to a long dry spell that resulted into the destruction of crops.
The residents unanimously passed a resolution banishing him from the village. Matovu, however, apologised, saying he would not engage in witchcraft again.
“I do not have anywhere to go and ask my fellow residents to forgive me because I was born and grew up in this village,†he pleaded. The residents forgave Matovu and ordered him to destroy all his shrines and uproot the charms he had planted around his home, which he agreed to.
The destruction of the shrines was witnessed by the Police and traditional healers. Badru Ssemisambwa, the chairperson of traditional healers in the district, said Matovu had not registered with them and lacked a licence.