Tanzania: Nation in Shock As Parish Priest Among Nine Arrested in Grisly Murder of Albino Child

By Adonis Byemelwa

Nine individuals, including the Assistant Parish Priest of Bugandika Parish, have been arrested in connection with the murder of a two-year-old albino child, Asimwe Novath. The Tanzanian Police made the arrests following an investigation into the horrific crime.

Among those detained is Asimwe's father, Novart Venant, who was apprehended on May 31, 2024. Asimwe was abducted from his mother's arms at their home in Mbale Hamlet, Bulamula Village, Muleba District on May 30, 2024. The child's mutilated body was discovered on June 17, 2024, with several organs missing.

The Assistant Parish Priest, Elipidius Rwegoshora, is accused of orchestrating the crime by persuading Asimwe's father to engage in the sale of human organs. Rwegoshora allegedly financed the services of a traditional healer and was found in possession of body parts believed to be Asimwe's, stored in plastic containers while seeking a buyer.

The gruesome incident has sparked outrage and condemnation. The police spokesperson, David Misime, confirmed the arrests and the recovery of the body parts during a press briefing today. Those arrested include Desideli Evarist, a traditional healer from Nyakahama, and other accomplices: Dastan Kaiza, Faswiru Athuman, Gozibert Alkadi, Rwenyagira Burkadi, Ramadhani Selestine, and Nurduni Hamada.

Misime warned against superstitious beliefs and practices that lead to such heinous crimes, emphasizing that these acts are both illegal and morally reprehensible. He urged the public to reject the false notion that wealth can be attained through the possession of albino body parts, pointing out that families with albino members live ordinary lives.

"The belief that one can gain wealth through such means is a dangerous superstition. If it were true, families with albino members would be extremely wealthy, which is not the case," Misime stated. He described the crime as a barbaric act that dishonors the nation and the sanctity of life.

The Assistant Parish Priest, alongside the other suspects, will face legal action for their involvement in the crime. The police reiterated their commitment to bringing all perpetrators of such crimes to justice, regardless of their position or status. "This kind of crime is a disgrace to humanity and an affront to the country's values. We will ensure that those responsible face the full force of the law," Misime affirmed.

In March 2015, the BBC reported that more than 200 witch doctors and traditional healers were arrested in Tanzania in a crackdown on the murder of albino people. The belief, advanced by some witch doctors, that albino body parts have properties that confer wealth and good luck, has driven these killings.

 President Jakaya Kikwete described the murder of albino people as an "evil" that has shamed Tanzania.

Nearly 80 albino Tanzanians have been killed since 2000, according to the UN. The latest victims included a one-year-old albino boy, killed in north-western Tanzania a few weeks ago.

The government banned witch doctors in January as part of its efforts to prevent further attacks and kidnappings targeting people with albinism.

According to the Red Cross, witch doctors are prepared to pay $75,000 (£50,000) for a complete set of albino body parts. Tanzanian police arrested 225 unlicensed traditional healers and soothsayers across the country, the AFP news agency reported.

"Some of those arrested were found in possession of items like lizard skin, warthog teeth, ostrich eggs, monkey tails, bird claws, mule tails, and lion skin," former police spokesperson Advera Bulimba told the agency.

 Albinism is particularly prevalent in Tanzania, with one in 1,400 affected, compared to one in 20,000 in Western countries. Some researchers believe the higher rate is a result of inbreeding.

During a recent parliamentary session, MP Khadija Taya, known as Keysha, broke down in tears while seeking guidance from the Speaker on how to address the safety of albinos during the election period.

"Every election cycle, people with albinism live in constant fear," Keysha declared, her voice trembling with emotion. "On May 4, 2024, a ten-year-old boy named Julius Kazungu was attacked with a sharp object in Katoro, Geita District." The nation must urgently unite to protect and ensure the safety of all its citizens, particularly those with albinism.