RUKIGA – Residents of Muhanga Town Council in Rukiga District were left in a state of utter shock and horror after their fellow man was seen grazing on grass like a wild pig moments after a local witchdoctor allegedly placed a curse on him.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The suspect, identified as Asiimwe Gustone, a resident of Ruhonwa Cell, Butare Ward, was discovered at noon devouring grass uncontrollably in the neighborhood.
The bizarre spectacle followed his repeated denial of involvement in the theft of a pig belonging to one Mackline, the wife of Mr. Naturinda Willy, also of the same area.
According to reliable sources, Ms. Mackline lost her pig to an unknown person. Desperate for justice and the recovery of her property, she reportedly sought the services of a traditional witchdoctor known for tracking thieves.
The witchdoctor, upon arriving in the community, allegedly gave the residents, including the suspect, an ultimatum: confess to the theft or face a terrible fate. Both the accused and other neighbors denied any knowledge of the crime. Unfazed, the witchdoctor warned that the real culprit would soon be exposed in a dramatic fashion.
Shortly after the herbalist left the scene, witnesses say Gustone suddenly began exhibiting strange behavior. He fell to the ground and started grazing on grass, powerless to stop himself.
Terrified family members were later reportedly told that the only way to free him from the spell would be to raise over three million Uganda Shillings for a cleansing ritual.
As news of the incident spread, a crowd quickly gathered, and the mood turned volatile. Fearing mob justice, the area chairman, Mugarura Wensesirous, intervened and took the distressed suspect into custody to ensure his safety.
Hon. Alban Katareiha, the Muhanga Town Council LC V Councilor, who witnessed the event firsthand, spoke to this reporter about the deeper implications of the incident.
“This act has exposed the impunity of some people who do not want to work but only grab what belongs to others,” Hon. Katareiha said.
He linked the rising cases of theft to ongoing economic pressures, pointing to the recent enforcement of trade orders that has left many small businesses shuttered, combined with the current general economic hardships.
The incident in Ruhonwa is not isolated, as witchcraft tracking methods have reportedly led to several other confessions and exposures across Rukiga District.
In Omwinoni Cell, Kyerero Parish, Bukinda Sub-County, a female adult was tracked and identified after allegedly stealing a bunch of matooke (green bananas).
Meanwhile, in Rwempango Cell, also in Kyerero Parish, two other male adults were similarly “tracked” and exposed for stealing hens from their neighbors.
However, for the shocked residents of Muhanga Town Council, the image of a man eating grass like a pig remains a haunting reminder of the strange justice unfolding in their community.
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