Mama Fina is the leader of the Traditional Healers Association in Uganda

People like mama fina are confusing our people so much. If i had political power, i would find a way to legislate against witchcraft in the country though it is practically difficult to do so. It was done in countries such Romania when it became a real problem for the society but it may be a tall order to climb in a society such as Uganda.

When AIDS/HIV surfaced in Uganda in the early 1980s, people used to think it was witchcraft- which led to the quick death of several of our people. People used to attribute AIDS/HIV, like they are still doing by attributing mental illness, to ancestral influence, witchcraft, evil spirits and/or bad luck. Bunyoro and Tooro were the biggest culprits during the AIDS times. In the Tooro areas of Kyarusozi and Kijura, AIDS was treated as an epidemic of witches and cannibals eating up bodies of people.

If Museveni  as our leader comes out and spreads the anti-witchcraft evangelism like he did with AIDS, this may also help reduce stuff like child sacrifice in the country, but few politicians are willing to take such risks. Why he and other public leaders are sitting back about this, I don’t know really. However, it’s important that the ‘emiti emito’ or young kids are taught through the school curriculum and family ciircles from day one that Satanism and witchcraft are ideals which only create enemity between relatives , friends and the general society. That’s why religious studies like Islam and CRE need to be strengthened in schools as much as possible.

Witchcraft did not start in Africa or Uganda. What we must know is that witchcraft was and still is part of the western community but because of the enlightenment and economic development of the population, it is not a strong influence as it is in developing regions like Uganda. Otherwise crimes such as using evil spirits in order to find the whereabouts of hidden treasure were fairly common in England’s history. Haven’t you heard of Edmund Hunt case in 1590 who was prosecuted for witchcraft? There was also a lot of witchcraft among the Welsh communities.

In other words, to reduce on the influence of witchcraft, you need to have a better economy and good educational background as it is in Europe. If Ugandans are still poor, then this problem will keep hanging over our heads. People will go into L.Victoria to look for money. The educated are either just plain stupid  or ‘mentally ill’ to still waste time with these things.

Abbey Kibirige Semuwemba

United Kingdom