21 people from Ntarama and Rushenyi Villages in Sooko Parish, Muramba Sub County are currently being detained at Kisoro Main Police Station to assist in investigations after four residential houses were razed in a fire started by unknown people in the community.
Kisoro District Police Commander (DPC) Benard Mugerwa said the tragic incident has left the communities in Muramba more divided than before and this is unacceptable.
It is alleged that one Christine Mukanoheri 38, a resident of Ntarama Village and one Regina of the same village were attacked, and their properties set on fire for their alleged practice in Witchcraft.
The victim, Mukanoheri was rushed to a private facility in Kisoro Town after she was assaulted by unknown people.
Mugerwa said the suspects connected to the arson and assault cases will not be allowed to get bail despite pleas from Local politicians until investigations have yielded credible results.
He further said, the Ugandan Constitution does not frown upon acts of witchcraft, nor does it recognize its existence therefore alleged suspects of such an act cannot be charged with any crime.
Mugerwa advised the communities in Kisoro to lobby through their Members of Parliament on a specific need to introduce a private members bill on witchcraft that affects the entire country.
A recent community Policing exercise in Nyakinama Sub County also saw more people raising the issue of people practicing witchcraft so to eliminate enemies and cause distress to certain families.
Kamuhanda Charles Bigira, the Nyakinama sub county LCIII Chairperson said there is a heightened sense of turmoil among households in Nyakimana caused by alleged witchdoctors, fake pastors who are fleecing people of their hard-earned money and creating more hatred and divisionism among the people.
He further said cases of Domestic Violence among married couples as well as cases of school dropouts is alarming.
Kamuhanda called on the law makers including the state minister for youth and Children Affairs, Sarah Mateke to find lasting solutions to the social conflicts destroying the way of life in Kisoro.
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