A 43-year-old traditional healer has been arrested for the alleged defilement of five young girls, including his four biological daughters. The accused, identified as Swaibu Murundi of Butamba village, Kayabwe town council in Mpigi, has reportedly been abusing his victims since 2019. 

The victims, all of whom are school-going pupils and students, range in age from 12 to 16. The fifth girl, the daughter of his close friend, was victimized while Murundi was paying her school fees.

According to police spokesperson Fred Enanga, “The victims have been keeping quiet all along because their father and guardian have threatened to kill them using witchcraft. They decided to keep quiet all this while being victimized by their father.”

Murundi’s home, a well-fenced premise seated on two acres with three gates, served as the grim stage for these heinous acts.

“Every evening the victims would gather at a fireplace for rituals; they would eat food and then proceed to their father’s cottage for the sexual act,” he added.

The biological mother of the four daughters was reportedly unaware of the abuse, having been separated from the suspect.

According to Enanga, the arrest was the result of a concerted operation against child sexual violence and exploitation by several local authorities.

“We would like to thank the Deputy RDC, the DPC., the DISO, the CID, Child and Family Protection, and the probational office for their hard work,” Enanga stated.

He added, “This arrest, of course, is going to serve as a warning to all child sexual predators who continue to violate the rights of the girl victims.”