A BBC DOCUMENTARY SHOT IN NORTHERN UGANDA ABOUT HUMAN SACRIFICES IN THAT COUNTRY LANDS THE STAR IN JAIL FOR GIVING FALSE INFORMATION.
Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.
A Ugandan who featured in a BBC documentary film shot in Northern Uganda and aired last month, claiming that he had committed 70 human sacrifices to evil spirits, has been arraigned in court and charged with giving false information.
Polino Angella, a resident of Bala sub-county in Apac district, Northern Uganda, was arraigned before the resident magistrate, Everest Palodi, at Lira court where he denied the offence.
The accused had told the BBC reporter that he had committed 70 murders, including that of his own son, by the name of Nelson Ojede.
The offence, according to Ugandan law, carries a prison sentence of one year.
A senior police officer in Lira said the police were also looking for the BBC correspondent who had interviewed Angella for questioning and possible prosecution.
The prosecution case stated that On January 18, 2010, Angella told a police investigator, Mr.Vincent Odwar, false information that he had sacrificed the lives of 70 people in ritual killings, including his own son by the name Nelson Ojede, to the evil spirits, a matter which was later thoroughly investigated and found to be false.
The magistrate ordered the accused person to be remanded at the Central Prison in Lira, and said he needed time to study the file before the case could open for hearing, in a date to be set in April this year.
Angella plea for court bail was rejected by the magistrate, who said he needed time to study all the facts related to the charge before considering bail application.
According to the facts presented to the court, Angella had told the BBC reporter, Mr. Tim Whewell, that he had sacrificed 70 people, including his own son in the 1980s and 1990s, when he was still an active witchdoctor and traditional healer.
The BBC documentary, which was shot in Northern Uganda, was aired last month.
The claim by the accused during the BBC broadcast attracted public attention, leading the police anti-human sacrifice unit in Uganda to swing into action, and start investigating those claims.
The BBC documentary also showed a group of traditional healers re-enacting how they kill their victim in ritual murders.
Angella allegedly claimed that he was paid cash money, to the tune of Ushs 200,000 by the BBC agent, and a promised a hefty donation for a community based project in his home village, run by community organization.
Godwin Tumugumye a, a senior police officer, said they were also looking for the BBC correspondent who had conducted the interview with Angella for questioning.
The story was also highlighted by the state-owned NEWVISION.
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leooderaomolo@yahoo.com