South Sudan expels Ugandan witchdoctors

Jul 19, 2009

THE authorities in Southern Sudan have ordered the expulsion of all Ugandan traditional healers and witchdoctors, accusing them of misleading and conning patients.

By Frank Mugabi

THE authorities in Southern Sudan have ordered the expulsion of all Ugandan traditional healers and witchdoctors, accusing them of misleading and conning patients.

John Gajang, the Sudanese Government liaison officer, based in Koboko in Uganda, said their vice-president, Riek Machar, ordered the deportation on Friday following several complaints related to the witchdoctors’ work.

“They have been telling people that they can heal all diseases, which is false,” Gajang said, adding that the healers’ activities were causing patients to shun medical centres.

“The Government of Southern Sudan has now decided to phase out this system of traditional healers and witchdoctors, so they should go back to Uganda,” Gajang said.

He said many patients had also complained of being fleeced millions of shillings and other personal property like cars.

Gajang said the eviction operation had so far covered Yei and Lanya counties but would be extended to Morobo county on Monday.

Angry Sudanese, after learning of the expulsion order, reportedly destroyed the shrines of the witchdoctors and set their fetishes on fire.

At the start of the operation on Friday, a team of officers from Yei handed over seven of the healers to the Koboko authorities.

The officials included the Yei county criminal investigations chief, Joseph Madol, and the security inspection officer, Juma Taban. They appealed to the Ugandan officials to support the operation, which they said was in good faith.

Koboko district Police chief, Fredrick Segirinya, identified the deported witchdoctors as Muhamed Osani from Pallisa, Enock Kintu, Jaliru Atibu, Hamza Njake, Alumansi Mbogo, Musa Wandera, Sirimani Ssali and Abdu Wali.

He revealed that the majority had certificates issued by Uganda Nnedagalalyayo, a local association of herbalists.

Segirinya said they rejected another Kenyan witchdoctor, called Fred Masinde, because they did not have jurisdiction over him.

Meanwhile, the operation has sparked off a voluntary return of healers, several of whom have chosen to take refuge in towns along the border.

Many claim to be waiting for properties they reportedly left behind since the order got them unawares.

Segirinya said he had received six phones belonging to some of the healers that were handed over on Friday.

He said he also cross-checked their criminal record in Uganda and found that they had no cases. He, however, appealed to the herbalists to carry out their activities “professionally” to avoid public denunciation.

Many Ugandans masquerading as witchdoctors and traditional healers have gone to South Africa to make a living.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});