§ 29. Mr. Dayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the policy of the Government towards the Malakite sect in Uganda; whether this sect has shown any tendency to increase during the last five years; and will he give particulars of the latest reports received by the Governor from the various provinces on this subject?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe policy of the Government towards this sect has been one of non-interference provided that its adherents do not infringe the ordinances providing for the control of public health and property such as those dealing with plague, smallpox and rinderpest. No reports on the sect have been received for seven years past, but if the hon. Member has any more recent information I will make inquiries on the subject. The somewhat obscure sect of the Malakites which appeared in Uganda in 1914 has for the main plank of its platform a strong objection to all medical, sanitary and veterinary measures on the ground that the word for medical officer in the native language used by the sect is also used for a wizard or sorcerer.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI have given the hon. Member an answer.