A wave of violence and panic has gripped Kazo East Village in Kibalinga Sub-county, Mubende District, after a man identified as Kiiza Robert was accused of using witchcraft to harm residents. The incident, which began on Tuesday evening, has left several people injured and the community in a state of fear.
The Incident
According to Isma Tumwesigye, the LC1 Chairperson of Kazo East, Kiiza Robert, who is believed to be a traditional healer, allegedly used witchcraft to cause harm to residents. The situation escalated when Robert reportedly attacked a 54-year-old woman, Beatrice Gumisiriza, cutting her with a machete. Gumisiriza was rushed to the hospital for treatment, while Robert was apprehended by the community.
“Robert has been causing fear in the village for some time, but this attack was the last straw. The community decided to take action,” Tumwesigye said.
Community Retaliation
On Wednesday morning, tensions boiled over as residents retaliated against Robert. A mob attacked him, cutting his arms and legs, and left him severely injured. The police intervened and took Robert to Mubende Regional Referral Hospital for medical treatment. Four other residents who were injured during the chaos were also hospitalized.
“The community was furious and took matters into their own hands. We had to step in to prevent further violence,” said a police spokesperson.
Residents Speak Out
Residents who spoke to Salt TV expressed mixed reactions to the incident. Some justified the mob justice, claiming that Robert had been a source of fear and harm in the village for years. Others condemned the violence, calling for the government to regulate traditional healers and protect citizens from such incidents.
“We have suffered for too long. Robert has been using witchcraft to harm people, and we had to stop him,” one resident said.
Another resident added, “This is not the way to handle such issues. The government needs to step in and regulate traditional healers to prevent such incidents in the future.”
Calls for Government Intervention
Alone Nfitimukiiza, the Sub-county Chairperson of Kibalinga, acknowledged the incident and called for calm. He revealed that Robert had previously sought treatment from a traditional healer, which had temporarily calmed the situation. However, the recent attack reignited tensions in the community.
Nfitimukiiza urged the government to increase oversight of traditional healers and provide support to communities dealing with such issues. He also called for the establishment of a regulatory framework to ensure that traditional healers operate within the law.
“We need the government to intervene and regulate traditional healers. This will help prevent such incidents and protect our communities,” Nfitimukiiza said.
Conclusion
The incident in Kazo East Village highlights the deep-seated tensions and challenges surrounding traditional healing practices in rural Uganda. While the community’s frustration is understandable, the violence underscores the need for government intervention to address the root causes of such conflicts and ensure the safety of all citizens.
As the injured receive medical treatment, stakeholders hope that this incident will serve as a wake-up call for the government to take decisive action in regulating traditional healers and preventing future outbreaks of violence.
