Jossy Muhangi
8 August 2000
Iganga — Self-styled 'apostle Besweri Kaswabuli heading the Issa Massiya sect in Iganga was yesterday charged with assaulting a former follower causing him bodily harm.
Flanked by over 50 followers, Kaswabuli denied the charges before a grade two magistrate, Mr. James Kaswa.
Prosecution led by Joseph Bayuge alleged that on March 7, 1999 at Bubago village, Busiki county, Kaswabuli and others still at large unlawfully assaulted Daniel Tusubira and caused him bodily harm.
The victim, an ex-member of the sect reportedly faced the wrath of the Massiya followers when he returned to the camp to fetch his property but was accused of trespassing.
Tusubira was believed to have leaked the information about operations of the sect leading to police storming the place to investigate and exhume bodies of dead believers.
Through his lawyer, Mr. Henry Nampandu, Kaswabuli presented three sureties, one of them a teacher in his primary school, Eric Twine, and two residents of Nsinze sub-county,Wilson Kakaire and Amun Nkuume and was granted cash bail of sh200,000. Each sureties was bonded sh1m, not cash. He was also ordered to deposit his passport with court.
Court learnt from the defence lawyer that the passport is deposited with Criminal investigations Department (CID) headquarters Kampala because Kaswabuli faces other serious cases which are being investigated.
The police file shows, Kaswabuli is probed over alleged defilement, rape, and keeping children without parent's consent. .
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