Kampala Metropolitan South Police Commander Siraje Bakaleke has appealed to traditional herbalists in the country to lend a hand to the police in hunting for and apprehending criminals, being that facts show that many of them always run to their shrines after committing crimes.
The police boss made the call yesterday while addressing traditional healers in a meeting called by their leader, Sophia Namutebi alias Maama Phina, to sensitize them on how to improve and sanitize their work at Calendar Rest House in Makindye.
Bakaleke expressed confidence that crime will be significantly reduced when traditional healers cooperate with the police.
“When somebody comes to your shrine saying they just murdered a person in ritual sacrifice, all you have to do is play some delay tactics while you contact us,” he said.
On the growing threat of machete welding goons (Bijambiya) now terrorizing different communities in the central region, Bakeleke reassured that the police are still in control and hunting for them; but warned: “As members of the community you have to watch your neighbors because we know that these criminals are not from far away. They are your neighbors. Your community’s security starts with you.”
Mama Fiina leads colleagues in a traditional dance
On her part, Mama Fiina praised Hajji Bakaleke for being one of the few police officers that have played a vital role in ensuring that traditional healers and herbalists have a better working environment.
“I was elected in this position in difficult times when Muguluma had just been murdered by the people masquerading as herbalists and all of us were being labelled murderers, but I have worked tirelessly to fight and rid all rotten tomatoes in our field,” she said.
Maama Fiina went on and urged all herbalists to respect each and also form a SACCO to help them elevate their living standards.