"Iganga's Massiya 'Prophet' Charged"

by Jossy Muhangi (in Iganga) ("New Vision" (Kampala), August 9, 2000)

Kampala - Self-styled 'apostle Besweri Kaswabuli heading the Issa Massiya sect in Iganga was yesterday charged with assaulting a former follower causing him bodily harm.
Flanked by over 50 followers, Kaswabuli denied the charges before a grade two magistrate, Mr. James Kaswa.
Prosecution led by Joseph Bayuge alleged that on March 7, 1999 at Bubago village, Busiki county, Kaswabuli and others still at large unlawfully assaulted Daniel Tusubira and caused him bodily harm.
The victim, an ex-member of the sect reportedly faced the wrath of the Massiya followers when he returned to the camp to fetch his property but was accused of trespassing.
Tusubira was believed to have leaked the information about operations of the sect leading to police storming the place to investigate and exhume bodies of dead believers.
Through his lawyer, Mr. Henry Nampandu, Kaswabuli presented three sureties, one of them a teacher in his primary school, Eric Twine, and two residents of Nsinze sub-county,Wilson Kakaire and Amun Nkuume and was granted cash bail of sh200,000. Each sureties was bonded sh1m, not cash. He was also ordered to deposit his passport with court.
Court learnt from the defence lawyer that the passport is deposited with Criminal investigations Department (CID) headquarters Kampala because Kaswabuli faces other serious cases which are being investigated.
The police file shows, Kaswabuli is probed over alleged defilement, rape, and keeping children without parent's consent.

"Search For Kanungu Leaders Intensifies"

by James Mujuni and Raynel Kanyambu ("New Vision" (Kampala), August 6, 2000)

Kampala - President Yoweri Museveni has said that government will intensify the hunt for the leaders Kanungu dooms day cult responsible for the death of over 700 people in March.
Museveni said this Wednesday when he was inspecting the stench-filled house of dooms day Cult leader Fr. Dominic Kataribabo in Kigabiro, Bunyaruguru, Bushenyi district.
"Forget this scandal and concentrate on building your families and Improving your incomes as government intensifies its investigations. We shall arrest the cult leaders if they are still alive," Museveni said.
Museveni said that the people of Bunyaruguru Should not feel guilty over the scandals committed by a priest who turned satanic.
"This case was an eye opener. As government we shall intensify our Scrutiny of religious sects in future to check the biblical false prophets," Museveni said.
He said that former members of the cult should not be prosecuted or Intimidated for the wrongs of their leaders.
The Police exhumed 153 bodies of members of the movement for the Restoration of the ten Commandments of God from the floor and compound of Kataribabo's house in March. Several other mass graves were unearthed at different houses where cult members used to meet for prayers. The cult leaders, believed to be alive, have eluded police attempts to arrest them.

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