Witchcraft Increases Poverty, Says NGO

from All Africa

Byline: Dan Wandera

Communities that practice witchcraft or that believe in superstition and religious fanaticism have little chance to progress and fight poverty in the modern economy, an NGO leader has said.

The East African Representative for International Humanist and Ethical Union, Mr Deo Ssekitoleko told a press conference in Luweero last week that religious fanaticism, and superstition had left many people unable to scientifically reason and use their natural abilities to start income generating projects but were waiting for miracles to lift them.

"Witchcraft and superstition incapacitate people from free thinking and only enriches the few who have the ability to manipulate others to give in the little they have earned without questioning," Mr Ssekitoleko has said.

The International Humanists and Ethical Union has embarked on a programme to sensitise the youth in schools and communities to abandon belief in witchcraft and superstition.