Addressing Witchcraft Beliefs and Accusations in Uganda: What Can Social Workers Do?

Abstract

This paper discusses witchcraft beliefs and accusations in Uganda and how social workers can address this challenge. It notes that witchcraft beliefs and accusations are discriminatory, unjust, dehumanising, and deeply oppressive to the most vulnerable members of Ugandan society. The paper observes that the accusations bother social work practitioners because they threaten human rights, social justice, and respect for diversity, which underpin the social work profession. It further notes that despite the inhumane consequences associated with this social problem, there are little or no deliberate social work interventions addressing witchcraft beliefs and accusations in the country. To that end, the paper argues that the inac- tion by social workers negates the profession’s inherent mandate and responsibility. It concludes by advancing the roles and approaches that social work professionals may undertake to address witchcraft beliefs and accusations.