For many Ugandans facing financial difficulties, family problems, illness, or uncertainty about the future, the promise of spiritual help can be difficult to resist. Unfortunately, some individuals have taken advantage of this vulnerability, turning people’s fears into a lucrative business through deception and manipulation.
This is why the campaign being championed by Jajja Kasozi Batuuka real name Tonney Kasozi deserves serious attention.
In recent months, Batuuka has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of individuals he describes as fraudulent traditional healers, particularly in the Luwero region and other parts of Uganda.
According to him, some of these self-proclaimed healers allegedly plant suspicious objects in homes, compounds, and businesses, only to return later claiming they have supernatural powers capable of identifying and removing witchcraft. Victims are then pressured into paying large amounts of money for cleansing rituals and spiritual services.
Whether one believes in traditional healing or not, there is little argument against the need to protect people from fraud. If these allegations are true, then such practices do not represent culture, spirituality, or indigenous knowledge. They represent exploitation.
What makes Batuuka’s message stand out is that he is not attacking African traditions themselves. Instead, he is calling for a clear distinction between genuine cultural practices and outright deception. His argument is simple but important: Uganda’s rich cultural heritage should not be used as a shield for dishonest individuals seeking to profit from people’s fears.
His often-repeated message, “We must separate cultural heritage from deception,” captures a concern shared by many Ugandans. Authentic cultural knowledge has existed for generations and remains an important part of many communities. However, when fraudsters misuse that heritage to extort money from vulnerable people, they undermine the credibility of genuine practitioners and damage public trust.
Batuuka’s public awareness efforts through community meetings, media appearances, and educational campaigns have helped spark a necessary conversation. More Ugandans are beginning to ask questions, seek evidence, and report suspicious activities instead of accepting every claim presented as spiritual truth.
Perhaps most importantly, the campaign highlights the need for accountability within traditional cultural practices. Respect for culture should never mean tolerating exploitation. Communities can honour their traditions while still demanding honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct from those who claim to serve them.
As discussions continue, Batuuka’s stance has positioned him as more than a cultural artist or community figure. He has become a voice advocating for critical thinking, consumer protection, and the preservation of authentic indigenous knowledge.
At a time when many people are searching for answers to life’s challenges, his message remains relevant: be alert, ask questions, and do not allow fear to become an opportunity for others to take advantage of you.
