By Spy Uganda
Hoima: Police in Hoima have arrested and charged a pastor who was captured in a video whipping his church members with what he termed as a “magic blessed stick” in his church.
In a video captured by one of the followers, Pastor Denis Kintu was seen lining up and flogging church members one after the other inside the church during a service at around 11am on Sunday last week.
Following the incident, on Thursday morning, Kintu the lead pastor at Empowerment City Church International was arrested after police launched investigations into the matter.
“The events attracted public concern about how the self-proclaimed “man of God” conducted himself. He was summoned by the district security committee headed by the Resident City Commissioner Badru Mugabi and upon interrogation, he told the committee that what he did was only a demonstration of how Jesus treated those he found selling goods in church,” Police said in a statement.
According to police, the church has been operating without clear documents from the city authority or Uganda Registration Standards Bureau.
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
Kintu was arrested alongside four other members of his church including Mugisha James, Mbabazi Stella, Tusiime Twaha and Nsiimwe Bilas and the three pieces of sticks that the pastor was using to whip the flock were taken as exhibits.
The pastor and the church members were later arraigned before the magistrate’s court in Hoima City and 17 counts relating to charges of trafficking in persons, assault and promotion of sectarianism were read to them.
The group members were later remanded to Kiryatete government prison until September, 7.
