Siraje Wanzala, a 72-year-old traditional healer in Kainogoga cell, Jinja City Northern division, has been arrested by Kiira regional police following accusations of sexually assaulting a client seeking ritual cleansing.
The victim, whose identity is protected, reported that Wanzala allegedly raped her on multiple occasions during ritual sessions held in May and June of this year.
The victim’s ordeal began when she sought Wanzala’s assistance for persistent headaches that had plagued her from January to May. Unable to find relief through medical treatments, she turned to Wanzala, who offered to heal her for a fee of Shs120,000. The healing process involved a 10-day cleansing ritual that commenced on May 30 and concluded on June 8, 2023.
During the cleansing sessions, the victim claimed that Wanzala subjected her to a bath with unknown substances in his shrine. Subsequently, she alleged that he forcibly undressed her on the night of May 31, fed her unidentified substances causing her to lose consciousness, and woke up on June 8 with her private parts bleeding. Doctors later confirmed sexual penetration during a medical examination, prompting Wanzala to go into hiding.
Wanzala, however, denied the allegations, asserting that the client was attempting to tarnish his reputation. He alleged that they had a secret relationship, and she resorted to blackmail after failing to experience the anticipated healing.
Kiira regional police spokesperson, James Mubi, said that detectives are actively investigating the matter to determine the truth behind the allegations.