Murders of people with albinism in Tanzania have re-emerged with high frequencies after almost a decade of calm.
People with albinism are in a state of fear following the recent abductions and subsequent killings of a two-year-old girl, Asimwe Novath which occurred in the Kagera region. The girl was snatched from her mother’s arms at their home in Mbale Hamlet, Bulamula Village, Muleba District Kagera region on May 30, 2024.
Members of the security forces reacted very quickly. They managed to uncover the child’s mutilated body which was dumped in a forest at Makongora village with several organs missing on June 17, 2024.
Now, the government is under pressure to put in preventive measures to avoid a repeat of the massive killings that occurred between 2009 and 2015.
The practice raised a significant outcry among international human rights organisations during that period. This comes from the belief, especially among business people, that the killing of people with people with albinism gives people the luck to gain wealth.
The massive killings of Albonos from 2009 to 2015 tarnished the name of Tanzania which often portrays itself as the most peaceful country in East Africa. It took the intervention of the security forces for the practice to stop. Trends show that these killings often happen when the country is nearing elections, an indication that politicians also use the Albinos as a means to win the elections.
President Samia Suluhu described the practice as “disgusting and a big embarrassment to the nation” and instructed the security forces and human rights organisations to remain alert.
So far, nine suspects have been arrested, including a Priest of Bugandika Parish of a Roman Catholic Church, Reverend Elipidius Rwegoshora, as well as the child’s biological father, Novart Venant.
Others who were apprehended following an investigation into the horrific crime are Desideli Evarist, a traditional healer residing in Nyakahama who allegedly orchestrated 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 by the plain-clothed police officers in possession of some body parts believed to be Asimwe’s stored in plastic containers waiting for buyers.
Other suspects are Dastan Kaiza, Faswiru Athuman, Gozibert Alkadi, Rwenyagira Burkadi, Ramadhani Selestine, and Nurduni Hamada, all currently in police custody.
The incident has sparked outrage in Tanzania, especially after it was discovered that a priest was involved. Similarly, most Tanzanians are shocked that a father, who is supposed to take care of his child could engage in such a heinous crime.
Police spokesperson, the Assistant Commissioner of the Police (ASP) David Misime warned against superstitious beliefs and practices that lead to such heinous crimes, emphasizing that these acts are both illegal and morally revolting.
The police reiterated their commitment to bringing all perpetrators of such crimes to justice, regardless of their position or status, given that such a crime is a disgrace to humanity and an affront to the country’s values.
Past reports by the United Nations on human rights showed that attacks on people with albinism have claimed the lives of at least 80 people in Tanzania since the spate of killings started in 2009.
Members of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities expressed concerns that the government has been unwilling to follow up on three petitions filed to the committee concerning the mutilation of people with albinism that occurred between 2009 and 2015. This failure might constitute a violation of the country’s national and international obligations to protect people with disabilities.
Godson Mollel, the National Chairperson of the Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS), criticised law enforcement authorities for failing to give priority to the plight of people with albinism in Tanzania, and he has sought the intervention of the Head of State.
“We haven’t seen the police issuing a strongly worded statement against these attacks on members of our community,” said Mr Mollel, himself living with albinism.
The belief, advanced by some witch doctors, that albino body parts have properties that confer wealth and good luck, has been fueling these killings. In March 2015, more than 200 witch doctors including traditional medicine men were arrested in the subsequent crackdown.
