As shown in the BBC report, one former witch doctor travels through northern Uganda to press practicing witch doctors into reformation. He revealed that some of the witch doctors are afraid of police punishment if they admit to the crime and ask for help. Other witch doctors are afraid of retribution from the spirits if they stop performing ritual sacrifices. To the witch doctors who want to stop, it seems like a no-win situation.
The Minister of Ethics and Integrity in Uganda, James Buturo, grants that evil spirits exist in all cultures, but acknowledges that they need not be consulted for any purpose. In 2008 Buturo called for a ban on mini-skirts because of the distraction to drivers resulting in traffic accidents (remember this is the place where I must wear long dresses). In 2009 Buturo introduced an anti-homosexuality bill to protect the traditional family. These two examples alone suggest that Buturo has a very conservative, fundamental view…one that is often not often favored locally or internationally. Given the state of our world, I am not surprised that a minister of ethics is not a popular person. It’s with this man that Laura and I will meet to find out how we can best support the efforts to end child sacrifice.
Last year an Anti Human Sacrifice and Trafficking task force was established in the Kampala police department. The task force is headed by Moses Binoga. Efforts to find more information about the task force failed. A handful of articles published in 2010 are simply repeated in multiple news sources. The variety and content of quotes by Binoga, however, suggests the task force does exist.
As with all reporting, bias, agendas, and worldviews shape content. What is truth in these situations? While I don’t claim to know the answers, I am more informed about the controversy, the people involved, and the issues. At best I can pray for release from these strongholds and that Jesus would be known and loved far and wide in Uganda.
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