The self-described "prophet" is shown ordering his followers to the front of the church to be whipped or they had to stop attending services and lose the privilege of handling his microphone.
A self-described Ugandan "prophet" was remanded to prison after a widely shared online video showed him administering lashes to members of his church.
Kintu Dennis, 42, of the Hoima Empowerment Church International, is shown ordering his followers to the front of the church to be whipped or they had to stop attending services and lose the privilege of handling his microphone.
The video started circulating Thursday and shows followers presenting themselves before they are beaten on their backs and buttocks. Their alleged crime was incompetence and late-coming, according to church members.
The congregation watched as followers received their beatings as soft piano music played in the background.
Prophet Kintu Dennis caned his ministers infront of the congregation.
— Sanyuka TV (@sanyukatv) September 1, 2022
What can Government do to regulate church activities that are harmful to congregants and ministers?#SanyukaXpressNews #MorningXpress #SanyukaUpdates pic.twitter.com/TlLy4rNvEq
The victims have also attracted intense criticism on social media where users castigated them for blindly following the so called prophet and being too lazy to read the Bible for themselves.
The incident sparked outrage from Ugandans who urged authorities to intervene.
“Pastor Kintu Denis who recently appeared in a viral media clip beating believers with a magic blessed stick’ in his church in Hoima, has been arrested and charged with 18 counts of trafficking in Persons, Assault, and Promoting Sectarianism,” police wrote in a tweet.
Pastor Kintu Denis who recently appeared in a viral media clip beating believers with a “magic blessed stick”in his church in Hoima, has been arrested and charged with 18 counts of trafficking in Persons, Assault, and Promoting Sectarianism. pic.twitter.com/28Dc1LoYqX
— Criminal Investigations Directorate-UPF (@CID1_UG) September 1, 2022
Police searched his church and recovered three pieces of sticks suspected to have been used to beat the faithful.
The so called prophet told investigators that he was carrying out a demonstration of how Jesus treated those he found selling goods in church.
Uganda has several evangelical churches but they are unregulated and many are run by self-appointed men and women of God.
Social media is bold.
Social media is young.
Social media raises questions.
Social media is not satisfied with an answer.
Social media looks at the big picture.
Social media is interested in every detail.
social media is curious.
Social media is free.
Social media is irreplaceable.
But never irrelevant.
Social media is you.
(With input from news agency language)
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