Health 19 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Concerns Rise Over Misuse of Traditional Healing Practices in Uganda
The unchecked activities of some traditional healers are posing a significant public safety risk, prompting calls for increased community vigilance and reporting of malpractices. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/letters/misuse-of-traditional-healing-has-become-a-public-safety-concern-5637988
A growing number of traditional healers in Uganda are reportedly engaging in harmful practices, raising serious public safety concerns. These individuals are allegedly exploiting vulnerable populations by making outrageous demands for money and property under the guise of spiritual healing.
Reports indicate that some traditional healers are using coercive tactics, including threats and intimidation, to extract resources from desperate individuals seeking cures for various ailments. This exploitation preys on the trust placed in traditional medicine and the deep-seated cultural respect for healers.
The lack of regulation and oversight within the traditional healing sector has created an environment where such abuses can thrive. Without proper mechanisms for accountability, victims are often hesitant to come forward due to fear, stigma, or a lack of recourse.
Experts and community leaders are urging the public to be more aware of these predatory practices. They emphasize the importance of community members reporting any suspicious demands, threats, or exploitative behavior by traditional healers to the relevant authorities. This collective action is seen as crucial to protecting the public and ensuring that traditional healing remains a force for good, rather than a tool for exploitation.