Ricky Lee Mosher June 21, 1955 to November 22, 2008

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Child Sacrifice Part I

In January 2010, the BBC did a report indicating that child sacrifice is on the rise in Uganda. In February 2010, ABC News did a two-part series on child sacrifice in Uganda (watch part one and part two). Newfound prosperity seems to be a driving force behind these sacrifices along with the belief that witchcraft can help people get rich.

Ugandan economic reform plans established in 2005 have been successful. Largely state-controlled, the private sector is blossoming under these reforms. While direct foreign investments are still uncontrolled, an increase in demand will put pressure on lawmakers in this area as well.

Witch doctors are playing the role of intermediary by promising wealth in exchange for child sacrifice. The witch doctor is paid to tell customers what they must do to get rich and they’re being paid to perform the ritual of the often prescribed child sacrifice. They harvest the blood, certain organs, or entire body parts in the religious ritual.

The demand for child sacrifice results in children that mysteriously go missing. A few parents willingly sacrifice their own children for riches. Some witch doctors drive up the monetary value of their advice by demanding flawless children – one circumcised child was rejected as blemished and thus his life was spared. As a result Ugandan parents are piercing the ears of their children to help protect them.

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