Thirty-seven people including traditional healers and their patients were on Saturday, September 18, arrested in a house in Kicukiro District.
The gathering was in contrary with the national Covid-19 prevention directives.
They were found gathered in the house belonging to one Alphonse Habakubaho, 50, also arrested, located in Kabeza Village, Cyimo Cell, Masaka Sector.
The group was paraded on Sunday, September 19, at Kicukiro stadium in Kicukiro Sector. Habakubaho said that had gathered at his home to provide traditional medical assistance to their patients.
“I am one of the traditional healers, we had four patients when Police arrived and arrested us for violating the Covid-19 prevention guidelines,” said Habakubaho.
Jean Bosco Kajongi, the chairperson of association of traditional healers is also among those arrested. “We had come together to gather our spiritual talents to assist out patients but we did not go through the proper national procedures to comply with the Covid-19 prevention guidelines,” Kajongi said.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioners of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that the violators were arrested due to the existing partnership between the police and the public which facilitates easy sharing of information in lawlessness.
“This group of 37 people, majority of them traditional healers, were found on Sunday at about 4pm, overcrowded in the small room with their patients. The government directives were repeated and are clear; being a traditional healer does not give you the right to undermine them,” CP Kabera warned.
CP Kabera reminded the public that the Covid-19 pandemic has not yet been defeated and warned that Police operations will continue to arrest those who derail the national efforts.
The violators were tested for Covid-19 on own cost and handed administrative fines accordingly.(End)