Local leaders of Kirindi village, Kisoga Parish in Mukono district, on Sunday closed seven churches after Christians spent five days praying for dead man to resurrect. Alex Ssegawa was discovered dead by locals who got concerned over unbearable smell in one of the neighbours’ house.
The leaders on Sunday resolved to close churches in the village and asked the neighborhood to do the same. Mike Mukasa said it was a shock for the neighbours who they perceived to be civilized to be hoodwinked by the born again pastor that Ssegawa was to resurrect after seven days.
“First, these people did not take Ssegawa to hospital when he was sick. The pastor convinced them that he was going to heal. Even when the man died, the pastor convinced them that he was going to resurrect until a stench started emanating from the house,” Mukasa.
Mukasa said since all the churches in the area are operating in makeshifts and have been started mostly this year. Locals said they will demand for operating license from anyone who starts up a church in the area.
Susan Nakalanzi, one of the family members who was living in the house said the pastor told them that Ssegawa was not dead but was just in deep sleep. Nakalanzi added that they were assured by the pastor that Ssegawa was going to wake up after seven days.
“We had waited for four days but on the fifth day the smell was too much for the neighbours and they forcefully entered the house. They found the body in a decomposed state and wanted to lynch us. Some thought we had been eating Ssegawa’s body yet we were counting seven days for his resurrection,” Nakalanzi said at Kisoga police.
Swahaba Male said they entered the house and found Ssegawa’s body with maggots an indication he had spent several days dead. Male wondered how Nakalanzi and others were living in the house with such a stench.
“Imagine the body was full of maggots from the nose, mouth and neck. The stomach was swollen at the verge of bursting. But these people still believed he was going to resurrect. Which kind of faith is that? Now we buried him and we are waiting for him to resurrect,” Male said.
Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson, said they investigating circumstances under which Ssegawa died. Owoyesigyire added that they are investigating the incident and state prosecutors to guide on the befitting charges to place against Nakalanzi and group.
Police have so far arrested four people to help with investigations. Police is also waiting for pathologist report to understand the exact cause of Ssegawa’s death. Police have advised people to avoid taking sick people to churches instead take them to hospitals for medical attention.-