Jinja: Police in the Kiira region are on the hunt for a witch doctor allegedly involved in an illegal abortion that resulted in the death of 16-year-old Moreen Kabwire. The tragic incident occurred on January 2, 2024, when an unidentified traditional healer allegedly performed the illegal abortion using roots of wandering jew and bitter herbal liquids on the young girl, who was four months pregnant. Kabwire, who recently completed her primary seven studies at Nakanyonyi Primary School, resided with her grandmother, Betty Babirye, in Mutekanga zone, Bugembe, Jinja city.
The victim went missing on January 2, prompting her grandmother to report her disappearance to Bugembe police station. Upon her return the next day, Kabwire began bleeding and was rushed to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
According to James Mubi, the Kiira region police spokesperson, the deceased had revealed that her boyfriend, known as Junior, a local watchman, made her pregnant and ordered her to keep it a secret. Junior allegedly threatened to kill her and dispose of her body if she revealed the pregnancy, leading the girl to resort to the dangerous practice of abortion.
Accompanied by Junior’s brother, Isaac Okurut, and neighbor Eseza Namuyomba, Kabwire sought the services of a renowned witch doctor in Iganga district and later traveled to Idudi in Bugweri district to obtain the desired roots of wandering jew and other herbs.
Mubi stated, “A case of defilement has been opened against the main suspect Junior, and police are seriously pursuing him and the witch doctor. Junior’s brother Isaac Okurut and neighbor Eseza Namuyomba have been arrested and charged with Rash and Negligent, because their reckless acts caused death of a person.”
The suspects are currently detained at Bugembe police station, and the deceased’s body awaits a postmortem examination at Jinja Main Hospital mortuary as investigations progress.
Mubi revealed that Okurut’s mobile phones contained communication audios between the deceased, Junior, Isaac Okurut, Eseza Namuyomba, and the witch doctor.
The police spokesperson cautioned witch doctors against engaging in illegal activities such as conducting abortions, emphasizing that those involved in aiding the abortion, before, during, and after the commission of the crimes, will be arrested and prosecuted.
Mubi shared that 1401 cases of Gender-based Violence (GBV) were reported in the Kiira region from 2021 to 2023, leading to various negative consequences. He urged the public to collaborate in combating GBV, highlighting the police’s commitment to arresting and prosecuting all GBV culprits.
He attributed the reduction in cases to collaborations between the police, the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), religious leaders, Busoga Kingdom, and other stakeholders.
