Family of seven banished over witchcraft

Jul 27, 2015

“They claim that I have a snake in my house and have the ability to bend trees to greet me. So Mbabazi went to prophets who came and held prayers and prophesied that that all trouble was from me,” Yolamu said.

By Geoffrey Mutegeki Araali

A family of seven people is camped at Fort Portal police station after they were banished from their home in Kigonge village in Harugongo Sub County, Kabarole district over witchcraft.


The seven who include three adults and four children have camped under a tree at Fort Portal police compound.

Yolamu Tinkasimire, 65; his wife Oliver Tinkasimire and their family have spent two days at the police without any help.

“They came with pangas and attacked destroyed my property but we were fortunate they never injured us,” Yolamu said.


Tinkasimire's wife gestures towards the camera at Fort Portal police.  PHOTO/ Geoffrey Mutegeki Araali

He revealed that trouble started when his daughter, Florence Kezabu, fought with a neighbour identified as Grace Mbabzi over a man.

Following the fight, Mbabazi reportedly developed a rare sickness and branded Yolamu a witch.

“My daughter fought with Mbabazi over a man, and when she fell sick after three months she started a rumour that I was bewitching her. Now whenever someone dies they say I have a hand in it,” Yolamu said.

Trouble continued when Mbabazi’s child fell and broke his hand and two neighbours died mysteriously.

“They claim that I have a snake in my house and have the ability to bend trees to greet me. So Mbabazi went to prophets who came and held prayers and prophesied that that all trouble was from me,” Yolamu said.

A village meeting on July 24 resolved that Yolamu and his family should leave.

Oliver Tinkasimire denied being a witch and said they were born again.

“People are just jeaolous because when we settled in that village about four years ago we brought about a lot of development which they are against. For us we are born again and always pray in church,” Oliver said.

Yolamu has requested police to give him protection as he prepares to shift from the area and look for a new settlement.

Bakari Muga, the Rwenzori region spokes person described the incidents as unfortunate, He revealed that they are planning to go for community policing and harmonize the situation.






 

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