Sooka is locked up at Buwenge central police station awaiting prosecution on charges of malicious damage, inciting violence, and assault.
Robert Sooka, a witch doctor
from Budhumbuli cell in Buyengo town council in Jinja district spent the night
in police cells for allegedly torching his brother’s home. Sooka accused Livingstone
Kibumba of practicing sorcery against members of his household.
The torched property comprises three houses, three pit latrines, a kitchen, a storehouse,
and a resting shade. Sooka is locked up at Buwenge central police station
awaiting prosecution on charges of malicious damage, inciting violence, and
assault.
Both Sooka and Kibumba reside in their ancestral home, where
they each operate shrines for survival.
However, Sooka has been accusing
Kibumba of importing dangerous spirits from Mombasa in Kenya. He claimed that
these spirits prevented him from receiving clients at his own shrine and caused
unexplained deaths among their extended family.
Sooka sought the assistance of superior witch doctors from Luuka
district, who, along with neighboring residents, condemned Kibumba for engaging
in unacceptable ritual practices.
Anger grew among the residents, led by Sooka,
resulting in the demolition of Kibumba's residential houses and shrine. They
also set fire to his property, killed his domestic animals, and destroyed his
crops.
The
situation escalated to the point where Sooka and others attempted to attack
Kibumba and his 15 family members. Police intervened and used tear gas to
disperse the angry crowd.
Police took Kibumba and his family members to Buyengo
town council hall for safety and temporary refuge as they plan to rebuild their
vandalized home.
Sooka also
led another group to attack his mother, Yozefina Saasila, 80 years old, whom he
accused of remaining silent while Kibumba allegedly practiced witchcraft
against their family members.
Saasila suffered a serious fracture in her left
arm and is currently receiving medical attention at a private clinic in Buyengo
town council.
The conflict
between the two brothers began in February 2023. Authorities previously held a
reconciliation meeting involving police community liaison officers, local
leaders, and the public.
However, the recent incident came as a surprise.
Police detectives are gathering statements from eyewitnesses, and efforts to
apprehend other suspects who are still at large are underway. James Mubi, the
Kiira Regional police spokesperson, urged the public to seek the assistance of
religious leaders to address misunderstandings rather than resorting to
witchcraft or sorcery, which often result in division and violence instead of
peaceful reconciliation.
