Thousands of children go missing in Uganda annually, and dozens are likely victims of sacrifice, says Peter Sewakiryanga, a pastor who through a non-governmental organization has committed to ending child sacrifice in Uganda
The organisation, Kyampisi Childcare Ministries (KCM) condemns witch doctors’ brutal ritual of child sacrifice, and has tallied six cases this year in the capital of Kampala alone.
Pr Sewakiryanga with his team protect, rehabilitate children able to escape the ritual.
He says many of these child survivors carry with them serious and disturbing life scars and injuries which include complete genital mutilations, castration, deep stab wounds, missing tongues, ears, as well as emotional and psychological scars that need life time healing.
Working each day to bring Christ’s hope and healing to these children, Sewakiryanga’s devotion to the cause this year attracted The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), who during an interview with the preacher joined undercover detectives and armed police hunting for one witch doctor accused of kidnapping and killing children.
“When they get the child, most times they cut the neck, they take the blood out, they take the tissue, they cut the genitals or any other body organs that they wish that the spirits want.” Pr Sewakiryanga said.
Child body parts are especially prized in rituals because people believe mixing their blood with herbs makes a strong concoction that can cure diseases and appease local spirits. Genitalia are especially prized.
“The problem is increasing and many children are killed, and there are very few actually that survive, most of them die.” He added.
According to a report from CBN News, Kyampisi Childcare Ministries is the only organization in the country providing long-term financial and medical care for survivors of child sacrifice.
“We want to see that the life of a child who has survived is supported, that they are socially able to stand and heal from the injuries, and that they can have a life after that,” said Pastor Sewakiryanga.
He also works with Ugandan lawmakers to help draft specific laws targeting perpetrators of child sacrifice.
In 2009, the government imposed the death penalty for anyone who removed a child’s body part for human sacrifice or other witchcraft, or trafficked children for that purpose.
Yet, according to child rights activists, the death penalty is rarely imposed on those convicted.
aaron@ugchristiannews.com
