Kampala — TWENTY-five members of a Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) sect which prohibits followers from eating cooked food have been jailed.

The members were convicted of trespass and holding an illegal assembly. Their leader, Aloni Kusasira, was jailed for 20 months, while the rest will serve 10 months in prison.

Kusasira and his followers were arrested from Kaddunda village in Nakaseke and arraigned before Grade 1 Magistrate Fred Gidudu, who convicted them on their own plea on Wednesday.

The sect broke away from the main SDA church and embraced cult tendencies which teach that it is unhealthy to eat cooked food.

Followers eat grass, raw cassava tubers, egg plants and other raw foods. Tea and bottled drinks are outlawed and said to be unsuitable for the human body.

Those imprisoned are David Jjuuko from Wakiso, Michael Kamagala of Entebbe, and Sam Kyaterekera of Kapeeka in Nakaseke and Moses Wokulira of Ntebe.

Others are Stephen Kiribedda and Amos Mawejje both of Kapeeka, Mukula Jonathan of Katikamu in Luweero, Ben Mukalazi, Elisa Mutabaazi and Mayengo Fred of Bukomero in Kiboga,

Also sentenced are Dan Katumba of Busia Daniel Kaggwa of Ngogolo in Luweero, Juliet Nanfuka of Bukoto in Masaka, and Margaret Namayega of Wakiso.

Sarah Kiyingi of Kapeeka, Deborah Nanziri of Ngogolo in Luweero, Paulina Nalukwago and Joyce Nalule of Bukomero in Kiboga and Margaret Nalubega of Kapeeka in Nakaseke were also sent to jail.

Others are Mary Nabisaso of Ngogolo in Luweero and Sarah Namande of Kasana in Luweero town council.