Police in Luwero are currently holding a self-proclaimed ‘Jesus’ and one of his followers for their refusal to participate in the ongoing National Population and Housing Census conducted by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.
The incident occurred at Katikamu Luyima zone, Wobulenzi Town Council,where enumerators faced resistance from a man identifying himself as Jesus Navas Vera, the purported leader of the Star Glopper Eden church, and his follower El Shadai Gracy. According to Daniel Kikonyogo, the LC 1 Chairman of Katikamu Luyima zone, efforts to enumerate Navas and his followers were met with evasion as they ran into hiding upon the arrival of census officials.
Navas and his followers expressed their disbelief in the census exercise and reportedly reject all government programs, including the National ID enrollment. This resistance prompted Kikonyogo to involve the police, leading to the arrest of Navas and Gracy.
At the Wobulenzi Police Station, Navas asserted his divine identity, claiming to be the Son of God and asserting that he is already accounted for by his heavenly Father. He warned officers against taking action against “the Son of God” and questioned their authority to detain him.
One of Navas’s followers, identified as Eve Melisha and believed to be his wife, echoed their disdain for secular government services, stating that they also reject secular education, opting to homeschool their children.
John Ojokuna, the Luwero District Police Commander, confirmed the arrest, citing Navas’s refusal to participate in the census despite the legal requirement to do so under the UBOS act. Navas could potentially face charges for defying government programs.
This incident mirrors previous cases of individuals claiming divine status and rejecting government services. In a similar case in 2016, Solomon Semakula Jonathan, who identified himself as ‘Jesus Christ’ from Nakaseke district, was arrested for discouraging his followers from seeking medical treatment and engaging in government programs, leading to charges under the Penal Code Act.
Meanwhile, in Kamira sub-county, over 100 families subscribing to the Enjiri cult have also refused to participate in the census, associating the exercise with satanic influences.
This UBOS Act provides for the development and maintenance of a National Statistical System to ensure collection, analysis and publication of integrated, relevant, reliable and timely statistical information.
Ugandans who resist or sabotage the National Census due to start this Friday face up to six months in jail, or Shs600,000 fine.
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