Uganda: Muslim women ask parliament to convene special session on child sacrifice, ritual murders

AllAfrica.com July 30, 2009

Uganda: Muslim Women Petition Over Ritual Murders

by Mary Karugaba

Kampala — PARLIAMENT has been asked to convene a special session on ritual murders, homosexuality, child sacrifice and gender-based violence and come up with a position to guide citizens on how to respond and mitigate the evil practices that have plagued the country.

Muslim women made the request while meeting the deputy speaker, Rebecca Kadaga.

"Despite the challenges of dealing with the vices, we believe the Government has the ability to salvage the insecurity resulting from ritual murders.

The Government must do all it takes to save the lives of innocent people," the women said in a petition to Parliament.

The women, under the Uganda Muslim Women Association, said they were disappointed with Government's lukewarm attention to the recent ritual murders.

"In light of national obligations Uganda has to its citizens, we urge the people concerned to take urgent steps and enact laws that will bring the perpetrators of these evils to book," said Hajat Faridah Kakaire, the general secretary of the association.

The women also asked Parliament to constitute a special committee to investigate the ritual murders and related vices in order to ensure the safety and security of the people.

Kakaire disclosed that the association plans to launch a six-month campaign to sensitise the public about child sacrifice, homosexuality and gender-based violence.

Kadaga applauded the women for coming out to fight the evil practices. She pledged Parliament's support and promised to organise women parliamentarians to join the campaign.

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