The self-proclaimed prophet Denis Kintu has told police that he beat his followers during a Sunday service to imitate Jesus Christ. Kintu’s arrest followed a shocking video that emerged on social media showing him clobbering Christians claiming he came from the Army and doesn’t joke.
Kintu is heard in the video that was perhaps captured with a mobile phone warning that whoever rejects being beaten should not return to his church. After learning that the incident had happened in his area of jurisdiction, the Hoima City deputy Resident City Commissioner Badru Mugabi summoned the ‘man of God’ to explain himself.
It was during the interrogation that was witnessed by the area police commander that Kintu revealed that he beat up his followers to demonstrate how Jesus treated those he found selling merchandise in the church.
“He was summoned by the District security committee headed by the Resident City Commissioner Mr Badru Mugabi and upon interrogation, he told the committee that what he did was only a demonstration of how Jesus treated those he found selling goods in church,” ASP Julius Hakiiza the Albertine police spokesperson said in the statement issued on Thursday.
Pr Kintu joins a series of events that have been captured on cameras where self-proclaimed pastors, prophets, and apostles have subjected their followers to the worst inhumane treatment. Some people have died in churches after the pastors stopped them from going to hospitals despite having been diagnosed with chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, and pressure.
Other than those who have died or been hoodwinked to sell all their belongings, there are some parents who have regretted trusting the pastors after they sexually assaulted their children both girls and boys.
It is over 20 years ever since Uganda experienced some of the worst scenarios of religion after Pastor Kibwetere burnt to death over 700 people inside a church in Kanungu district in the Kigezi sub-region. People have been paid to act as lame, deaf, and blind so that they can be ‘healed’ in churches in order to attract more followers through miracles.
The court has remanded Pastor Kintu up to September 7 which will be Wednesday next week. He is facing 17 charges. He was arrested and charged alongside four others including Mugisha James, Mbabazi Stella, Tusiime Twaha, and Nsiimwe Bila.