President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on religious and government leaders to cease marginalizing individuals who practice witchcraft and traditional religions.
Instead, he encouraged them to engage with traditionalists patiently and share ideas.
Museveni drew from his personal experience of collaborating with witch doctors and religious groups during the 1980s guerrilla war.
He expressed disappointment that some church leaders confront traditionalists, unaware of their potential contribution to national development.
“I’ve heard church leaders attacking traditional religions, yet these same traditionalists aided us in the war that brought this government,” Museveni said.
“The young men operating our machine guns came from homes with traditional backgrounds.”
During the National Heroes Day celebrations in Gomba District on June 9, Museveni advised religious and government leaders to adopt his approach of working with traditionalists without judgment.
Despite coming from a religious family, Museveni collaborated closely with witch doctors throughout the guerrilla war, often following their lead.
“I convinced them to carry out their rituals while we played our part,” he said. “I guided them on tasks requiring science, like operating machine guns, while they prayed to their gods for assistance.”
Museveni recalled working with a traditionalist named Mpiima, who would instruct them to wait for hours before bewitching government forces.
Museveni also emphasized his collaboration with religious groups, including celebrating Christmas at Kasana Catholic Church and holding prayers with Anglican priests and Imams.
“My advice to religious leaders is to be patient, share ideas, and avoid ordering people around,” he said.
The Heroes Day celebrations were held under the theme “Hail Our Heroes; A Secure Uganda is Now A Reality.””
