Busoga herbalists protest against fake practitioners at Kiira Region Police Office
When Basalirwa refused, the group allegedly threatened to have him arrested unless he paid over 5 million shillings.
Jinja: In a bold show of solidarity, herbalists from Jinja City and the wider Busoga region stormed the Kiira Region Police offices on Monday, November 11, 2024, to protest the actions of individuals they allege are posing as herbalists while engaging in fraudulent activities.
The group claims that these fake herbalists have been confiscating shrine materials, demanding money, and falsely claiming to be affiliated with State House.
The protest was led by Jaja Bujagali Kirunda, a prominent herbalist in the region, who emphasized that the individuals causing the disturbances are impostors with no official ties to State House. “As a region, Busoga is independent, and President Museveni is not familiar with these people,” said Jaja Bujagali.
He went on to highlight that Busoga has its own cultural leader who oversees such matters and that no communication or letter from State House has been issued to justify the actions of these impostors.
The protests stemmed from several disturbing incidents in which herbalists in the region were targeted by the alleged fake herbalists.
One of the affected herbalists, David Basalirwa, shared his harrowing experience. He described how the impostors arrived at his shrine, claiming to represent State House and accompanied by a man named Ahibisibwe, who locked himself in a car to avoid identification.
They reportedly demanded Basalirwa’s operating license, shrine materials, and even cow hides, under the guise of needing to take these items to State House for the President.
When Basalirwa refused, the group allegedly threatened to have him arrested unless he paid over 5 million shillings.
In response to the escalating concerns, Kiira Region Police spokesperson, SP James Mubi, assured the herbalists that the police are taking the matter seriously.
He encouraged the herbalists to report such incidents and file formal complaints so that investigations could be carried out. “We are committed to ensuring the security of all community members, including herbalists, and we urge them not to be intimidated by these fake individuals,” said SP Mubi. He also called on the public to speak out against such fraudulent activities to help eliminate these practices and foster a safer environment for all.
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