‘Jesus’ arrested for refusing to be enumerated 

Wobulenzi: Police in Wobulenzi town council are holding a self-proclaimed Jesus and his follower for refusing to be enumerated in the ongoing National Population and Housing Census.

Enumerators met strong resistance at Katikamu Luyima zone in Wobulenzi town council on Monday after a man who claims to be Jesus and his followers refused to be counted as the Uganda Bureau of Statistics embarked on the National Population and Housing Census across the country on May 10.

The man identified himself as Jesus Navas Vera, the King of Star Glopper Eden Church, and his follower, El Shadai Gracy.

Daniel Kikonyogo, the LC 1 Chairman of Katikamu Luyima Zone, narrates that he escorted Patrick Kato, the enumerator, to the church run by the self-styled Jesus. He, however, says that no sooner had they arrived at the church than Navas and his followers ran into hiding.

According to Kikonyogo, Navas’s followers told them that they didn’t believe in the exercise, which forced them to report the matter to the police, leading to his arrest together with his followers.

Kikonyogo added that the group settled in the zone three years ago, and they have since refused to participate in any government program, including the National ID enrollment, making it difficult to know his real name.

Navas told URN at Wobulenzi Police Station that he is the Son of God and is already counted by his heavenly Father, who sent him on earth to save his people.

He warned policemen against joking with “the Son of God” and wondered where they got the powers to arrest him.

A follower who identified herself as Eve Melisha told URN that they detest all services of an earthly government, saying there was no need to count them.

Melisha, who is believed to be the wife of the self-styled Jesus, added that even their children are taught at home because they don’t believe in secular education.

John Ojokuna, the Luwero District Police Commander, explained that upon getting the report, officers from Wobulenzi Police Station responded immediately and arrested the self-styled Jesus and his follower.

Ojokuna added that, according to a recorded statement at the station, the self-styled Jesus insisted that he didn’t want to be counted. He could face charges of defying the government program as stipulated in the UBOS Act.

Over 100 families in Kamira subcounty in Luwero who subscribe to the Enjiri cult have also refused to be counted, insisting that the exercise is linked to Satan.

In 2016, Solomon Semakula Jonathan, the self-styled ‘Jesus Christ’ from Nakaseke district, was also arrested and charged with belonging to an unlawful society, contrary to sections 56(1) and 2(a) of the Penal Code Act. He was also charged with managing an unlawful society, contrary to Section 57 of the Penal Code Act.

He was arrested after discouraging his followers from seeking treatment from hospitals and participating in any government program.

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