Residents of Lwamalenge Village in Kitanda Sub-county have banished a traditional healer, Birunji Ssajjabbi, over allegations of practicing witchcraft, accusing him of disturbing the community with blood rituals and dark magic.
The decision followed an emergency village meeting chaired by Lwamalenge Village Chairman Lawrence Mulindwa, attended by local leaders and security officers from Kitanda.
The meeting addressed growing concerns that Ssajjabbi was using charms and engaging in occult practices.
According to Mulindwa, residents had repeatedly complained about mysterious blood being poured on roads, which they linked to Ssajjabbi’s activities.
He had arrived in the village in April last year, claiming to be the son of an elder named Speeli and stating he had come to practice traditional medicine.
However, his documents were later found to be forged, and he was initially expelled—only to return with support from Kitanda Police.
Suspicions deepened when Speeli’s biological sons denied any relation to Ssajjabbi, accusing him of impersonation to gain access to their father’s land.
Joseph Kimotte, one of the sons, claimed that witchcraft-related incidents began two months after Ssajjabbi’s arrival.
The head of traditional healers in Kitanda, Kiddawalime Musambwa, also disowned Ssajjabbi, stating that he was not recognized among legitimate healers in the sub-county.
When questioned, Ssajjabbi insisted he was a trained healer but failed to produce valid certification. Documents he presented indicated he was actually from Kirowooza in Nyendo-Mukungwe, Masaka City, further fueling distrust.
As pressure mounted, village leaders and residents agreed to expel him. Upon arriving at his home, Ssajjabbi initially denied possessing any witchcraft materials.
However, after residents forced open a locked room, they discovered a disturbing collection, including fresh blood, charms, calabashes, traditional cloths, animal skins, old coins, and other ritual objects.
Villagers demanded that he reveal any hidden skulls, but he refused. Police intervened, arrested him, and confiscated the items for further investigation.
Following his removal, relieved residents expressed hope that peace would return to the village after months of fear and anxiety.