The police in Hoima City are holding a pastor captured in a video whipping church members.
ASP Hakiza Julius Allan, the Albertine Region Police Spokesperson, identified the suspect as Prophet Denis Kintu.
According to a video that went viral on different social media channels, Prophet Kintu of Hoima Empowerment Church International is seen whipping some of the members of his church.
The video attracted public concern about how the self-proclaimed “man of God” conducted himself.
Hakiza said Prophet Kintu 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.
“The committee also established that the church is operating illegally without clear documents from the City Authority or Uganda Registration Standards Bureau,” noted Hakiza.
The committee decided to arrest the prophet and four other members of his church namely; Mugisha James, Mbabazi Stella, Tusiime Twaha and Nsiimwe Bila.
They are all detained at Hoima Central Division Headquarters.
A search was also conducted inside the church and three sticks used by the suspect were recovered.
“We call upon the Uganda Human Rights Commission to pick interest in the conduct of such self-proclaimed prophets who are abusing the right to serve God,” Hakiza said.