Police in Wobulenzi town council have detained a self-proclaimed Jesus and one of his followers for their refusal to participate in the ongoing National Population and Housing Census.

Enumerators encountered strong resistance at Katikamu Luyima Zone in Wobulenzi town council when a man who identified himself as Jesus Navas Vera, claiming to be the King of Star Glopper Eden church, along with his follower El Shadai Gracy, rejected the census enumeration.

Daniel Kikonyogo, the LC 1 Chairman of Katikamu Luyima zone, recounted the incident, stating that he accompanied enumerator Patrick Kato to the church led by the self-proclaimed Jesus. However, upon their arrival, Navas and his followers evaded them and went into hiding.

According to Kikonyogo, Navas’ followers expressed disbelief in the census exercise, leading to their refusal to participate. This prompted Kikonyogo to report the matter to the police, resulting in the arrest of Navas and one of his followers.

Further complicating matters, Kikonyogo noted that the group settled in the zone three years ago and has consistently refused to engage in any government programs, including the National ID enrollment, making it challenging to ascertain Navas’ real identity.

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 from 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 followers.

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 programme as stipulated in the UBOS Act.

Over 100 families in Kamira sub-county 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 section 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 programme.