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| Home News | | Nine regions count their ‘endangered’ albinos | STAFF REPORTER
Daily News; Tuesday,December 30, 2008 @21:15
| Police have said that nine upcountry regions have since completed a census of albinos in their respective areas, as directed by President Jakaya Kikwete. The census shows that there are 10,100 albinos in Dar es Salaam, Tabora, Rukwa, Arusha, Mara, Mwanza, Coast, Ruvuma and Tanga regions.
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (Department of Crimes Against Humanity), Luka Haule, Dar es Salaam has the highest population of albinos (6,010) – followed by Tabora (3,000), Rukwa (30), Arusha (50), Mara (100), Mwanza (400), Coast (200), Ruvuma (150) and Tanga (200).
Mr Haule pointed out that the census started in May this year and that only the nine regions had submitted the statistics so far – and that the rest of the regions were still collecting. It is estimated that there are over 150,000 albinos across the country, which is equal to 0.4 per cent of the population, but only 8,000 are said to have been registered with the Tanzania Albino Society (TAS) todate.
The census follows widespread killings of the albino in the country since last year, during which period it is reported that some 19 albinos, including children, have been killed or mutilated. The killings are caused by superstitious beliefs, especially in regions surrounding Lake Victoria and Tanganyika, where it is believed that albino body parts particularly the genitals, limbs, breasts and tongues, could make people rich if used in mining and fishing activities.
At least 173 people, including witchdoctors and organised gangs, have been arrested for involvement in the killings of Albinos. Police officers in collaboration with the TAS, through Help the Fight against Albino Killings programme, are collecting the data with the aim to know the population and how to better protect them.
The statistics are also aimed at knowing the economic activities that the albinos are involved with, whereby Mr Haule said that most of those interviewed were involved in self employment activities. Statistics from various sources shows that across the world, around one person in 20,000 suffers from albinism. But it is much more widespread in Africa, with a rate of around one in 5,000. | | | | |
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