NGOMA – Police in Zaza sector, Ngoma district have arrested a woman, Agnes Mukankuranga, on allegations of bewitching her neighbour’s children, who died on Monday. 

The area local leader in charge of Social Affairs, Bernadette Benegusenga, said the suspect was arrested after one resident, Alphonse Sindamuheba, of Karembo sector reported that his two children, Olive Tumukunde, 7, and Jean Claude Gatete, 3, had died of suspected witchcraft on Monday morning.

Benegusenga, added that two other children of the same family were rushed to Zaza health centre in critical condition. 

"This is intolerable…the death of these children has caused problems. One of the women who was nursing the children just prior to their death, is now traumatized and in coma,”

she lamented, warning residents against witchcraft. 
Sindamuheba, the deceased’s father alleges that the suspect had earlier unsuccessfully tried to kill his children.

"I know it is my neighbour [Agnes] Mukankuranga who killed my children. I tried to treat them but it was too late,” he told The New Times.

Police however, said the case is still being investigated and the suspect was arrested to save her from angry residents. 

Sources say many people in rural Ngoma district believe in witchcraft.

Ends