The Monitor (Kampala)
Francis Mugerwa
27 October 2009
Security officials in Hoima District are investigating a cult that has been operating in the district since the 1990s.
Police started the investigations following reports that the leader of the 'Abengiri cult' discourages its followers from taking their children to school, immunising them and using toilets.
Members of the cult reportedly do not seek medical attention when they are sick but use herbs instead.
Its leader, Pastor Moses Massa, was arrested last Wednesday.
Speaking to Daily Monitor last Thursday, the mid-western region Police spokesperson, Ms Zurah Ganyana, said: "He (Massa) is suspected to have sabotaged government programmes."
Ms Ganyana said non of Pastor Massa's nine children has ever been immunised, adding that they do not go to school despite the existence of the government Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education programmes.
Ms Ganyana said members of the cult do not eat pork, ducks and fish without scales.
"They allege that consuming the above is immoral and satanic," she said.
Members read Bible but...
Ms Ganyana said the followers of the sect read the Bible but accept and disregard some verses.
"They claim to derive their legality to operate from Philippians 3:20," Ms Ganyana said.
Pastor Massa told Daily Monitor last Thursday at Hoima Police Station were he is detained, that they started operating in the district in 1995.
He said their headquarters are in Jerusalem. "We preach unity and love," he said.
According to Pastor Massa, the church has branches in Kiboga, Kampala and in Kibaale districts. He said the followers pray every Saturday.
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