Kampala — The Serulanda Spiritual sect in Rakai was supposed to be banned in 1992 but is it still operating todate.

The commission of inquiry investigating the sect has been informed by the commissioner of Police, Cleophas Muhatane, that he made the recommendation to ban the sect 16 years ago. Muhatane was a special branch officer in Rakai and Masaka at the time. He accused the sect of crimes like defilement, forceful acquisition of converts' properties and promoting early marriages.

He said the sect's activities were a threat to security. Besides, the Serulanda Spiritual Foundation was irregularly registered under the lands ministry instead of that of internal affairs.

Barely a fortnight ago, the Rakai district community officer, Alex Bagarukayo, is reported to have told the commission of inquiry that children and some residents were scared of the presence of six bodies that had been preserved by the sect and kept unburied.

The practice of the sect is not only strange to other religious groups but also against the culture of non-members. Against this background, the Serulanda Spiritual Foundation must thoroughly be investigated and the recommendations by the commission of inquiry must this time be taken seriously.

Eight years ago, more than 500 members of the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments were burnt to death in Kanungu. The sect, led by Joseph Kibwetere, promised its followers that they would go to heaven, come 2000! As the year approached, they were asked to sell all their properties and give the proceeds to the cult leaders.

What they were promised did not come to pass and instead they ended up incenerated in an inferno that shocked the world. Later, mass graves linked to the leaders were discovered in different parts of the country. The Kanungu cult had operated for 15 years! The Serulanda and Kanungu cults bear an uncanny resemblance. What guarantee do Ugandans have that a similar tragedy will not occur in Rakai?