Africa-Press – Uganda. Budhagali II, Wasswa Kirunda, the oracle of Bujagali water falls, has warned traditional healers against administering medicine on women while they are naked after a 34-year-old woman accused a herbalist of conning her of Shs8m and forcing her into sex.The accused is a resident of Wanyange Central Village in Jinja North City Division, who works as the Prime Minister of Budhagali II; while the victim is a resident of Busowa Town Council in Bugiri District.Budhagali II confirmed that the suspect was a Prime Minister in his office, but was not aware of the crimes he was being accused of, adding that he has no objection to the arrest of his Premier if he has a case to answer.“Police should go ahead with their work if he committed an offence because I don’t encourage criminality. I have always warned male traditional healers against administering medicine on women while they are naked,” he said.Mr James Mubi, the Kiira region police spokesperson, confirmed the suspect’s arrest, saying charges of rape and theft have been preferred against him.“Our officers dealing with sexual-related offences are already gathering evidence for the suspect’s file to be taken to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP),’’ he said.The caseThe victim reportedly developed stomach complications and sought medical attention but there was no improvement, prompting her to consult friends who advised her to try traditional healers, thus seeking the suspect’s services.According to the victim, the suspect told her that a demon had entered her stomach but there was no cause for alarm because he is a specialist in handling such cases.She added that the suspect, however, told her that the treatment was to come at a cost of Shs8m, but after close to a month, she experienced intermittent pains.“The witchdoctor then asked me to prepare for the final treatment by carrying the balance of Shs500,000 (after paying Shs7.5m initially) and a bed sheet, saying there will be a cleansing ceremony at night to be conducted near a water source so that the demon is taken by water and seals the pain,” she said.She added that when they reached near the water pond at about 8pm on that fateful day, she was asked to remove all her clothes and lie on her back for the medicine to be administered.“I removed my clothes and lay on top of the bed sheet as instructed, aware that the suspect was going to smear the medicine on my body; but he instead had carnal knowledge with me and I decided to take the matter to the police,” she said.Mr Patrick Mudungu, the leader of traditional healers in Busoga, said the arrest serves as a deterrent to others whose acts are spoiling their image and urged police to handle such suspects without any leniency.
