Angry locals burn witchdoctor’s shrine

One of the religious leaders throws into the fire Ms Alobo's properties. PHOTO BY TOBBIAS JOLLY OWINY

Angry residents of Nora cell, Kamdini parish in Oyam District over the weekend burnt down a shrine and residence of a witchdoctor accusing her of extortion and mysterious accidents around her area.
The residents were led by Pastor John Opio from Lira town and Rev Edward Otim of Amati Church of Uganda in Kamdini.


Ms Alobo known as Mama Nalongo was busy consulting with her clients at the shrine but was forced to run away as the locals who c

One of the religious leaders throws into the fire Ms Alobo's properties. PHOTO BY TOBBIAS JOLLY OWINY

hanted church hymns broke the door and set everything on fire on Friday afternoon.


“Around 1pm, we heard the crowd singing and shouting while they approached the compound and shortly after, they started breaking everything in the compound and inside the house before burning it,” Mr Alex Opio, Alobo’s neighbour said.


Pastor Opio in an interview said they rallied the locals and destroyed Ms Alobo’s home after receiving multiple reports about her strange acts, extortion and illegal operation.
“We have reports and evidence that she conned, deceived and confused people there and she is responsible for the mysterious accidents that have occurred in front of her home,” Pastor Opio said.

One of the religious leaders throws into the fire Ms Alobo's properties. PHOTO BY TOBBIAS JOLLY OWINY


The bitter pastor remarked that it was unfortunate to see others flock the area as witchdoctors, claiming to distribute riches and fortunes to the poor people.


“It is true we burnt the shrine and everything in it and we are ready to face her in court. Our people are poor, the little they have shouldn’t be extorted by witches that will not help them,” he added.
Opio who broke Alobo’s door himself and confessed to having torn and thrown into the fire a bundle of Shs50,000 notes he removed from her handbag, said they will not entertain superstitious acts and want her out of the area. Money worth Shs11.2m, chairs, beddings, clothes, a sideboard and food materials are said to have been destroyed in the fire.
According to Rev Otim, a fortnight ago a bodaboda rider crashed with his motorcycle in front of her house and died bringing to four the total number of people who have died in front of her residence.


“We fundraised to refund her license and registration costs at the sub-county but she declined to move yet we don’t want her here. Imagine clients pay between Shs30,000 to Shs50,000 just to see her,” he said.
MsAlobo came to Nora in Kamdini six months ago after the local community in Aboke in Kole District chased her away for allegedly causing divorce in many families and extorting from people.
Mr Sam Ogwang Alunyu, Kamdini Sub-county LC3 chairman said that Ms Alobo had been operating in the sub-county illegally.


“She presented fake documents and certificates to us and we rejected it. But even before the incidence, we had already warned her that her operations were illegal since we already banned witchdoctors,” Mr Alunyu said.
Mr Ogwang added that she (Alobo) deceived them with the documents claiming she was a herbalist but put posters and ran adverts on local radios which meant she was a witchdoctor.
“Complaints from the community said she practiced witchcraft and her adverts we hear on radio kept us wondering which herds in African tradition can return lost love,” Mr Alunyu said.

Pastor John Opio in blue shirt throws some of Ms Alobo's furniture into the fire. PHOTO BY TOBBIAS JOLLY OWINY


Last year in November, Oyam District council resolved that operations of witchdoctors and unregistered herbalists in the district was illegal, a ban that was also passed to be enforced in the sub-counties.
Although Mr Alunyu said they have ordered her to leave Kamdini Sub-county in two days, the North Kyoga region police Commander Mr Peter Ematu confirmed that suspects in the case has been arrested.
“We arrested but released the suspects on bond after they agreed with Ms Alobo to compensate her although our investigations are still ongoing,” Mr Ematu said on phone.
A case file number SD REF: 11/04/08/2017 had been registered by Ms Alobo at Kamdini police post against Rev Otim and his friends.


Rev Otim of Amati Church of Uganda in Kamdini who led the locals to attack Alobo’s home and five others were arrested hours later after the incidence but were released on Saturday.