248:
1957 and the
Children's Act 1997. Child sacrifice through witchcraft has been allowed because the authorities did not implement the Witchcraft Act within the community. It remains difficult to try and convict anyone accused under this Act as its vague expression and interpretation Child sacrifice is not specifically mentioned in it. This means that giving a maximum sentence for the murder of a child by sacrifice is extremely difficult and the courts rarely use it.
95:, Uganda's capital, have been badly affected by kidnappings of vulnerable people, children in particular, for sacrificial purposes. It is a modern phenomenon that purports to be part of the country's old custom, through the use of traditional medicine, which roughly 80% of people rely on. In exposed communities, roadside posters, workshops, and alert systems have been erected to warn children and their families of the danger posed by
303:
within the court systems. Cases on child sacrifice currently go straight into the general court system. Cases get held up easily and take a long time to actually go through. A department of court set up to specifically tackle child sacrifice cases would provide a suitable structure for victims and their families. This has been supported by local authorities because it will help simplify the monitoring of activities.
281:. Several articles within this charter set out clear obligations to protect human rights. In particular Article 4 and 5 protect everyone's right to life and freedom from bad and cruel treatment. Article 18 specifically identifies the protection for children. This international instrument works to promote and protect basic human freedoms and human rights throughout
203:
testicles was removed and he was left for dead in a bush; he survived, but was in a coma for a month. The local witchdoctor admitted to this but the case is still pending due to slow investigation and allegations of corruption. Allan's family had to move homes and jobs to get through the ordeal and there are still adverse effects to this day.
160:
political status quo, endemic corruption and general feeling that the country has lost direction breeds a lot of discontent and frustration. It is in such an environment that the witchdoctors thrive, promising desperate people a miraculous way to bridge the gap from have-not to have, from failure to success and from poverty to wealth.
120:'purer'; a sacrifice that is "pure" or "unblemished" is believed to bring better results. If a child has been circumcised, scarred or has had their ears pricked, this represents disfigurement or impurity, and they may be spared from sacrifice. Some parents have marked their children in these ways to protect them.
146:
issues and distorted puberty development. The psychological damage to children affects their entire development; victims can struggle to develop ‘normal’ relationships after such an attack. Families are also affected as parents often bear the financial burden of covering short-term or long-term treatment.
302:
There was previously an issue with the application and implementation of relevant legislation on the ground and in court. To make this change in legislation successful its effects will need to be taught properly to the Task Force, where change can start from the ground. The second area of concern is
251:
In 2016 an amendment to the
Children's Act was passed. Under clause 10 it protects children from violence and provides a right to access child protection services. spearheaded by activist Annie Nnaji, this development specifically prohibits child sacrifice, trafficking, sexual exploitation and female
176:
All witchdoctors identify as traditional healers but not all traditional healers are witchdoctors and most do not perform child sacrifice. This identification has caused witchcraft to be associated with the healing practices of the indigenous culture, generating a rise in fascination with witchcraft.
145:
Children that survive are often left with traumatizing consequences for the rest of their lives. Most commonly survivors are left with large scars across their bodies; head and neck in particular. Genital mutilation is also a common occurrence for those that experience this ordeal, leading to urinary
110:
doctors, who also identify as traditional healers, will consult with mythical spirits for anyone who can pay their fee. The spirits are believed to communicate through them, the kind of sacrifice for appeasement that they require. Often these sacrifices are chickens or goats, but when such sacrifices
136:
One type of sacrifice is the removal of blood, which is then used in medicines or mixed with herbs. It will be used in the place where success, healing or wealth is desired. In other cases, a child is buried under a building foundation, either dead or alive, or only their hands, feet and genitals to
260:
This force was created in 2009 along with the
Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act. The government established the force with the intention that they would to oversee and coordinate investigations, collect statistics and work with the general public to stop this practice. The Force are covering
247:
Currently, there are three pieces of legislation governing child sacrifice in Uganda. The most recent of these was the
October 2009 Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act; this contained relevant sections on trafficking for the use of body parts. Prior to this there was only the Witchcraft Act of
233:
The
African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) reported that almost 3000 children disappear from their homes every year. This is not close to the reported number. A UNICEF report stated 13 cases of child sacrifice were reported in 2014 and 2015 and six of
229:
Statistics of child sacrifice can be hard to accurately gauge in Uganda. The Uganda Human Rights
Commission published a report in 2014 that warned of an underestimation of cases. This was based on late claims and tampering of crime scenes. Over 2007 and 2008 there was an 800% rise in the number of
211:
Steven (Emmanuel) Kironde was killed at the age of six in 2009. He was in the care of his grandmother, who left the family home briefly for an errand, when he was abducted. His body was found the next morning decapitated behind the house. The witchdoctor was arrested however, three weeks later the
293:
The issue of child sacrifice in Uganda has been highlighted in the media over the past three years with ABC (Australia) and BBC producing several reports and documentaries. The media attention coincided with media campaigns by
Ugandan NGOs such as RACHO, ANPPCAN-Uganda, faith-based organisations
163:
The small elite who gained wealth in a relatively short time during Uganda's economic boom in the early 21st century is an example promoted by witchdoctors for their successful profession. They claim that they have aided many of the nouveau riche to gain their wealth. According to the head of the
123:
In other cases, children are given to witch doctors by relatives out of desperation for money. A child's life is worth a high price, and it provides instant money for struggling families. Another cause for children being abducted is the belief that children represent new growing life and offering
220:
Polino Angela gave up this work in 1990; since then he has dedicated his time to converting 2,400 other witchdoctors. He claimed to have killed seventy children including his own ten-year-old son in his past. James Nsaba Buturo, the
Minister of Ethics and Integrity, agreed with Polino's approach
159:
A study of the
Ugandan context shows great disparity between the rich elite and the average Ugandan who struggles to make ends meet. It is almost impossible for someone born in a poor family to climb up on the social ladder. The gap between the rich and the poor combined with discontent with the
119:
Children are often victims of sacrifice for various reasons, the most common being they are relatively easy to abduct. As they are far more vulnerable than adults, children are more easily lured in or unable to fight back. Another reason children are abducted is that spiritually they are seen as
202:
investigated a seven-year-old boy called Allan
Ssembatya. He was attacked by a local witchdoctor and two acquaintances on his way home from school while walking with friends. In the witchdoctor's shrine he was struck on the neck, across the shoulders, and in the head with a machete. One of his
132:
Generally, a witchdoctor will try other methods first to bring about change of a person's misfortunes or desires using herbal remedies or animal sacrifices. When change is not successful, resorting to child sacrifice is proposed because it is believed to be the most powerful. When a child is
264:
The task force consists of an officer with a motorcycle and it works without a proper budget. Consequently, many Ugandans believe that the gesture of the Ugandan government is more a matter of window dressing to avert local and international criticism than a genuine attempt.
133:
sacrificed, the witch doctor and his accomplices will generally undertake the whole process. This includes: the witch-hunt, the abduction, followed by the removal of certain body parts, the making of a potion and lastly if required the discarding of the child's body.
591:
167:
It is thought that child sacrifice increases the power of a witch doctor's magic because it makes the charms, amulets or talismans that are given to clients stronger. For this reason, witch doctors stay in practice, along with great financial benefit.
185:
There is an increased risk of child sacrifice and increased work for witchdoctors around the elections. This is because high-profile Ugandans have bought into the practice by being convinced they need to sacrifice a child to win a seat as an MP.
588:
164:
country's Anti-Human Sacrifice Taskforce, child sacrifice is directly linked to rising levels of development and prosperity, and an increasing belief that witchcraft can help people get rich quickly.
78:
It involves the detrimental practice of extracting body parts, blood or tissue from a living child, often times resulting in the death of these children, who are often kidnapped for these practices.
212:
police offered a pay out to the grandmother to drop the case. This was declined and further developments in the case have not been made. There are several cases like this in the judicial system.
977:
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stating persuading change is better than retrospective punishment, which would cause a problem for justice. In 2010, Polino Angela was charged by police for lying about his child sacrifices.
535:
317:
1072:
836:
278:
32:
764:
1024:
899:
570:
177:
This has resulted in a damaged reputation of those traditional healers and herbalists who do not use human flesh but are still blamed for these crimes.
860:
1092:
36:
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such as Kyampisi Childcare Ministries (KCM) and Rose's Journey—a collective effort of Ugandans and friends of Uganda to end child sacrifice.
277:
requires Uganda to act in the best interest of the country's children by ensuring they all have basic human rights. Uganda also ratified the
274:
285:. Uganda is obliged to fulfill these expectations by continuously establishing state mechanisms to prevent tragedies like child sacrifice.
322:
469:
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more cases than law enforcement did before its establishment, but there is still a struggle to gain adequate evidence for convictions.
798:
557:
817:
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genital mutilation. It also ensures a service for children who have been victims and sets a mandatory structure for reporting abuse.
481:
1007:
833:
752:
778:
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332:
742:
Uganda Human Rights Commission. (2014). "Child sacrifice in Uganda and its human rights implications: A research study"
1082:
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1034:
907:
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357:, a statement made at the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, 48th Session (November 11, 2010) in
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857:
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fail to make the client prosper instantly, 'the spirits' are believed to demand human sacrifices.
20:
1049:
354:
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614:
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470:"Regulation of Traditional Medicine in the WHO African Region | African Health Observatory"
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them as a sacrifice will bring prosperity and growth to the one procuring the sacrifice.
589:"No Small Sacrifice Child Sacrifice in Uganda, in a global context of cultural violence"
877:"How I Fought to Ban Child Sacrifice in Uganda | Minutes with | @LADbible TV"
765:"The African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect"
24:
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Uganda is obliged under multiple treaties to protect the rights of children. The 1989
1056:
689:"If they're told to win a seat as an MP 'You must sacrifice a child', they'll do it"
96:
1012:
775:
517:
371:
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978:"Human sacrifices 'on the rise in Uganda' as witch doctors admit to rituals"
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48:
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40:
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31:" continues to take place despite the illegality as described by the
1017:
965:-killing/1439848 "Men severed albino boy's legs in ritual killing"
376:
1044:
536:"How one charity is working to prevent child sacrifice in Uganda"
72:
402:
Sseppuuya David, "Christians Unite against Human Sacrifice",
1002:
456:
Jubilee Campaign and Kyampisi Childcare Ministries. (2011)
675:
Jubilee Campaign and Kyampisi Childcare Ministries. (2011)
1039:
688:
631:
629:
627:
572:
Human sacrifice and the supernatural in African History
980:
BBC Investigation quoted in the Telegraph (7 January).
575:. Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania: Mkuki na Nyota Pub. p. 139
482:"Impact Stories: Testimonies of Change CAACS Project"
615:"A BBC investigation into human sacrifice in Uganda"
552:
550:
548:
946:"The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights"
530:
528:
526:
583:
581:
556:Kawaawa-Mafigiri, D., & Walakira, E. (2009).
372:Mozambique tackles Witchcraft and Human Sacrifice
318:Witchcraft accusations against children in Africa
256:Anti-Human Sacrifice and Trafficking Task Force
900:"Uganda: Child Sacrifice Not a Cultural Issue"
785:"The Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act"
776:https://www.ulii.org/ug/legislation/act/2015/7
99:abducting for the purpose of child sacrifice.
8:
940:
938:
936:
355:Ritual Killing and Human Sacrifice in Africa
279:African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
33:African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
75:, have practices documented in the report.
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468:Kasilo, O., & Trapsida, J. M. (n.d.)
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391:Mali's human sacrifice - myth or reality?
234:the 2015 ones were related to elections.
16:Ritualistic killing of children in Uganda
894:
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1073:Crimes involving Satanism or the occult
929:"Convention on the Rights of the Child"
393:, BBC News Africa (September 20, 2004).
343:
852:
850:
848:
518:"Children and youth in armed conflict"
349:
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501:"Where child sacrifice is a business"
275:Convention on the Rights of the Child
137:bring good luck to the new building.
7:
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677:"Child Sacrifice in Uganda – report"
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458:"Child Sacrifice in Uganda – report"
172:Witchdoctors and traditional healers
727:"Uganda BBC child sacrifice 'lies'"
558:"Child Abuse and Neglect in Uganda"
520:. Leiden: Koninklijke Brill. p. 48.
323:Persecution of people with albinism
708:Ssembatya, A. (January 16, 2010).
406:(Uganda), February 24, 2009, p. 12
14:
858:"The Children Act Amendment 2016"
230:reported ritual sacrifice cases.
813:The Republic of Uganda. (1997).
794:The Republic of Uganda. (1957).
516:Nilsson, Ann-Charlotte. (2013).
1021:Kyampisi Childcare Ministries:
832:The Republic of Uganda. (2016.)
635:Angela, P. (January 16, 2010).
587:KidsRights Foundation. (2014).
534:Smitheram, E. (March 4, 2014).
834:"The Children (Amendment) Act"
613:Whewell, T (January 7, 2010).
499:Rogers, C (October 11, 2011).
1:
1093:Conspiracy theories in Africa
906:. 2010-04-16. Archived from
712:Interview by T. Whewell. In
333:Traditional African medicine
753:"Child Sacrifice in Uganda"
639:. Interview by T. Whewell.
370:Akosah-Sarpong, Kofi 2007.
181:Politicians seeking fortune
1109:
967:ABC News. (23 September).
269:International obligations
1038:The Republic of Uganda:
710:"Uganda Child Sacrifice"
637:"Uganda Child Sacrifice"
37:human rights instruments
1016:KidsRights Foundation:
927:United Nations. (1989)
39:. In the 21st century,
944:African Unity. (1987)
716:documentary. BBC News.
569:Mbogoni, L. E. (2014).
82:Background and context
1011:Jubilee Campaign UK:
751:Bienvenu, M. (2010).
687:AFP (June 15, 2015).
91:Rural districts near
796:"The Witchcraft Act"
1088:Childhood in Africa
729:. 25 February 2010.
480:Nkimba, K. (2015).
23:, "the practice of
1083:African witchcraft
1027:2017-09-17 at the
951:2012-07-19 at the
863:2017-09-17 at the
839:2017-01-10 at the
820:2017-09-17 at the
801:2017-09-17 at the
781:2017-09-17 at the
594:2017-09-17 at the
380:(August 10, 2007).
298:Future development
216:Former witchdoctor
21:Sub-Saharan Africa
996:Africa Outreach:
763:ANPPCAN. (2016).
155:Desire for wealth
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1068:Murder in Uganda
1001:ANPPCAN-Uganda:
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1043:UNICEF Uganda:
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963:ABC 2009.
243:Legislation
238:Current law
1057:Categories
1006:Cawsocia:
914:2019-08-12
339:References
225:Statistics
69:Mozambique
35:and other
714:Our World
619:Newsnight
560:(p. 167).
361:, Gambia.
289:Awareness
141:Survivors
49:Swaziland
1025:Archived
949:Archived
861:Archived
837:Archived
818:Archived
799:Archived
779:Archived
645:BBC News
592:Archived
505:BBC News
307:See also
200:BBC News
195:Survivor
150:Dynamics
65:Zimbabwe
57:Tanzania
1033:RACHO:
882:YouTube
93:Kampala
61:Namibia
53:Liberia
41:Nigeria
621:. BBC.
359:Banjul
283:Africa
115:Causes
103:Motive
71:, and
45:Uganda
377:Mmegi
108:Witch
87:Issue
73:Mali
27:and
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