Police condemn use of ‘witch doctors’ to catch thieves

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Police and local leaders in the Acholi sub-region have urged theft victims to refrain from hiring “witch doctors” to catch thieves, a common practice they say does more harm than good.

In a show of no confidence in the Police, locals have turned to a now more popular solution – witchcraft – to address the theft problem that has proven to be rampant.

On February 14, 2025, five suspected thieves reportedly died, and eight others were fighting for their lives in Palabek Ogili sub-county, Lamwo District. This incident occurred after a witch doctor, hired by theft victim Anthony Mwa, allegedly used his charms to capture or expose the thieves.

Mwa wasn’t holding back after thieves stole his 19 bags of simsim, a motorcycle and over shillings three million from his store in Alimotiko village, Palabek Ogili sub-county, last year, December 2024.

Murder charge

Police have since arrested the witch doctor, the Ogili central village chairperson Kenneth Luto, as well as Mwa, preferring murder charges against them as investigation into the matter continued.

Similar cases were also registered in Nwoya, Gulu and Agago districts, in recent years, raising concerns among the local leaders and security personnel.

Lamwo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) William Komakech condemned the act, saying causing the death of a person under such circumstances is against the law and attracts heavy penalties upon conviction.

“Since the people behind the death have been arrested, Police will carry out full investigations into the matter, and the law shall take its course,” Komakech assured the public.

Nwoya district-based Lii sub-county chairperson Justin Odong urged residents to desist from using witchdoctors to catch thieves. Odong urged them to use the Police and other law enforcement agencies to do their work.

According to Odong, two people died in his area under similar circumstances between February 7 and 8, 2025.

Nwoya RDC Christopher Omara shared the same sentiments with Odong and said anybody arrested for allegedly using a witch doctor to catch thieves shall be arrested, charged and prosecuted.

“I urge the people in Nwoya and any part of the region here to refrain from such strange beliefs and acts that are criminal and cause death or forms of bodily harm,” Omara warned.

“These are bad acts and attitudes causing an element of insecurity in the district. This is not accepted. We ask the people to restore their hopes and trust in the usage of the Uganda Police Force by reporting any criminal cases with evidence so that the suspects are arrested, investigated, and eventually produced in the courts of law,” he added.