Posts by whrin_admin

Uganda: Can witchcraft fail service delivery?

Early last year, a relieved Samuel Bamuzibire handed over command of Luweero to Godfrey Ninsiima, the then new district police commander.

In his speech, Bamuzibire warned his successor that, among other things, he ought to watch out for witchcraft, which he said had given him the hardest time over his three-year tenure.

Bamuzibire said he had fought drug abuse, theft and burglary but he was on the verge of admitting defeat with regard to witchcraft.

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Uganda: Papal Nuncio Archbishop Blume cautions parents

The Papal Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Michael Blume has cautioned parents to tighten protection of their children in all ways and at all times as a means of fighting child sacrifice that is on the rise.

“Of late, human sacrifice, particularly of children for ritual purposes has become a common feature on all media channels which is quite appalling and regrettable. However, the greatest responsibility for the protection of the innocent and helpless creatures of God should lie with the parents of the children for they are the most vulnerable as far as the vice is concerned,” the envoy said.

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India: I’ve been terribly affected by witch hunt killings for years: Rajani Basumatary

Mumbai-based Boro filmmaker Rajani Basumatary talks about her directorial debut, ‘Raag’, her dream project and her plans with Rashmi Sarmah.

“Witch hunting is a major social problem in tribal societies of the northeast. Not just illiterate villagers, such superstitions are supported even by educated people. Sadly, there have been instances where even church Reverends have encouraged villagers to kill in the name of ‘witch’ hunting. As soon as I find financers, I will take this film to small villages across the region. Using a projector, I want to show the film and create awareness. Witch hunting can never be justified.”

Kenya: Mourners torch house of ‘witch’

A funeral in Kimathi location, Murang’a was disrupted on Saturday after mourners engaged police in running battles.

The mourners accused Wanjiru Manyeki of practising witchcraft and that her son killed the deceased, Peter Chomba. The hearse allegedly stalled near Manyeki’s house.

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Kenya: Clergy’s wife and daughter caught night-running at a school

Villagers in Keroka, Kisii County were shell-shocked a fortnight ago after they caught a wife and daughter to a pastor dancing naked in the dead of the night at a school compound.

On this particular night, the watchman was doing routine patrols and heard strange noises emanating from a secluded section of the school compound. When he went to find out, much to his shock, he saw silhouettes of two people dancing and gyrating their waists wildly.

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Kenya: Kaya elders say they are tired of heinous murders on witchcraft suspicion

Kaya elders in Kilifi county say they have had enough and will not stand more deaths. The elders who staged demonstrations in the area are calling on the government to protect them from heinous murders carried out against them on suspicion of practicing witchcraft.

Watch a news report here

Jinns in Islam – The Supernatural and the Unseen

Many cultures, peoples and religions have beliefs and encounters with some sort of extra-terrestrial beings, whether they are referred to as ghosts,aliens, spirits or demons. Within the Arab culture these extra-terrestrial forms have the title of ‘Jinn’. Jinn’s are believed to have superhuman powers and the ability to possess human beings.

Aicha Zaa looks at the culture and beliefs behind Jinns in Islam, of superstition and spirits within the Arab culture and how it plays such a huge part of everyday life.

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India: Girl killed in Tamil Nadu, villagers suspect child sacrifice

In a suspected case of child sacrifice, the body of a 10-year-old girl was found hanging from a tree in the premises of a temple in Perumal Koil Karadu in Salem district on Saturday. The villagers, who found the body, told police that they suspected the girl might have been murdered by a person or a group who had come to the village searching for a hidden treasure some days ago.

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Zimbabwe: Witchcraft drama as woman finds dead python in Rusero at her gate

A Bulawayo family woke up to find scary visitors at its gates yesterday – a black mamba and a dead python tied with a black cloth. The live cobra was wrapped in a black cloth and placed in a home-made winnowing basket filed with rapoko, torching a witchcraft scare across Lobengula suburb.

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Zimbabwe: Pair Appears in Court For Bashing Grandma Over Witchcraft

A 69 year old lady was bashed by her grandchildren after being accused of bewitching them.

Piniel Mandinyenya (27) and Primrose Mandinyenya (20) of Chirove village under Chief Shumba appeared in court accused of assaulting their grandmother Ester Mandinyenya (67) of the same village whom they said was a witch.