Joseph Emoru 60, is in tears after a witch-doctor he hired to catch thieves that had stolen his bull ended up killing his two sons.
Emoru hired, Simon Opolot, from Kapelebyong district to perform a ritual intended to capture thieves. However, the ritual immediately struck his two sons Micheal Etonu and Levis Okello.
Etonu who was aged 30 and Okello aged 40 died on spot leaving their father who had hired a witch-doctor in shock. It is said that Emoru woke up at the weekend and found his bull missing.
Emoru made inquiries on who had stolen his cattle but everyone including his family members denied having any knowledge on who had stolen it.
Emoru decided to hire a witch-doctor to find the thieves but unfortunately the traditional ritual killed his two sons.
Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson, said Emoru is a resident of Agaya village, Agirigiroi parish in Soroti district.
Enanga said the traditional healer after seeing Emoru’s sons affected, he duped them that he was going to look for a herb to help them regain conscious.
Opolot did not return and when he was contacted, he asked them to send two million shillings. However, Opolot did not bring back to life Emoru’s sons and they have since been buried.
“The incident underscores the serious health and safety risks of consulting traditional healers and taking herbs from them. The suspect had no licence, and is now wanted on two counts of causing death, practicing without a certificate and for extortion of money,” Enanga said.
Police have also warned all traditional medical practitioners and healers, that they will continue to be charged with causing death, if their practices lead to the death of a person in future.
“Several traditional healers describe themselves as master herbalists, who can cure several illnesses,” Enanga said.
Before opting for the services of the traditional healer, Emoru had reported the theft of his bull, at Odudui Police post, which was under investigation.
Police said Etonu and Okello could have survived if he had followed the due process of the law.