Three women detained in Njeru shrine over failure to clear medical bill

This photo taken on February 5, 2020 shows the witchdoctor, Mr Moses Nsimbwa and the three women he had allegedly confined in his shrine for more than two weeks. PHOTOS BY DERICK KISSA

What you need to know:

  • Ssezibwa region police spokesperson, Ms Hellen Butoto said Nsibwa would be taken to courts of law for prosecution when investigations are complete.

Police in Njeru municipality, Buikwe District have arrested a witchdoctor for allegedly confining three sisters in his shrine after they reportedly failed to clear their medical bill.
Mr Moses Nsibwa, a resident of Kinabi village in Njeru Municipality was arrested after police invaded his shrine on Wednesday following a tip off from relatives of the women aged 22, 23 and 25.
The women had reportedly been detained for more than two weeks.

“On Tuesday last week, I got information that my sisters were at a certain witchdoctor for treatment. When I realized that they were not returning home, I decided to call on one of their phones and they told me that the witchdoctor could not allow them to leave because they owed him a lot of money. Later, I heard that the witchdoctor came home and compelled my family to give him a piece of land worth Shs10 million. I was shocked because his bill was, apparently, around Shs 800,000. That’s when I reported to police,” said one Richard Mutebi.

Some of the exhibits recovered in his shrine


The women were said to be suffering from some stomach complications which they thought could be solved by charms from the witchdoctor.

When police invaded Nsimbwa’s shrine and arrested him, they recovered several exhibits like charms, animal skins and loudspeaker, among others.
At the Police Station, Mr Nsimbwa confessed being a traditional healer but denied allegations of illegally confining the women.
He said he wanted them to stay longer and first heal before returning home.
“Their condition was bad and I could not let them leave before recovering. They were not fine because they were still complaining of complications especially in the stomach,” Mr Nsimbwa said.

However, Ssezibwa region police spokesperson, Ms Hellen Butoto said Nsimbwa would be taken to courts of law for prosecution when investigations are complete.

Police detectives at Mr Nsimbwa's home on February 5, 2020


“We got information that he was treating these women but when he realized that they did not have money, he started asking for a piece of land to clear his bill. We have arrested him and we have preferred charges of unlawful confinement, cheating and conspiracy to defraud. He will be taken to court,” Ms Butoto said.