Traditional healers on Thursday overwhelmed the family of Sunday Njuki, a famous witch doctor in Kayunga, when they conducted his burial in the dark and without his family’s consent. Njuki’s family had planned to invite a Catholic priest to preside over a requiem mass, something the traditional healers disagreed with.
Kayondo Njuki, a relative, said the disagreements started on Wednesday night during a meeting to discuss about the burial arrangements. Kayondo explained that one of the deceased’s sons, Buyinza Bogere, with support from other siblings, suggested that they invite a priest from Nazigo Catholic Parish to lead the prayers, a proposal which was vehemently opposed by the traditional healers, led by Jjumba Aligaweesa.
“The traditional healers almost beat up Njuki’s children during the meeting,” Kayondo said.
After silencing the deceased’s children, the traditionalists took over the burial. On Thursday, they sang traditional songs as they danced. They argued that traditionally, if someone dies, the deceased should be buried with joy, and that mourners should not wail.
Njuki, 53, was rushed to a private clinic on Wednesday, after developing stomach complications. He died the same day. He was the spokesperson of traditional healers in Kayunga district. Mourners miss burial Hundreds of mourners left before the burial since the traditionalists insisted on doing it in the dark, after 7:30pm.
At around 2:30pm, many eulogised Njuki saying he was one of the best traditional healers and one who promoted development in the district. During his speech, Jjumba preached against Christianity and other religions he called foreign, which he said, were brought by whites to undermine Africans.
“We had our own tradition, but the Whites came and said it was satanic,” Jjumba said.
Mourners burst into laughter when he requested them to “come back home” as he KAYUNGA sang Pastor Bugembe’s song “Komawo eka”.
“Njuki has been a follower of the traditional religion and, therefore, we are going to bury him in darkness just like our ancestors did when their loved ones died,” Jjumba said.
A goat and a sheep were slaughtered at the grave site as Njuki was being buried. Traditionalists said they slaughtered the goat and sheep to appease his spirits. The Bugerere county chief, James Ssempiga, former Ntenjeru South MP Patrick Nsanja, were among the mourners who attended the funeral, but left after it was announced that burial would take place at night.