The Uganda Police Force of Serere district are investigating a religious sect known as Christ Disciples Church situated within the areas of Obululun village Bugondo subcounty, kidetok town council, Olwa in pigire subcounty and other parts of Serere district over disappearance of 100 church members.
The case has been registered under vide CPS Serere General Inquiry File 002/2023.
“We started the investigations following reports alleging that people were disappearing and that they were being trafficked and taken to Ethiopia to spread the gospel starting the month of February 2023,” said Oscar Gregg Ageca Police spokesperson East Kyoga police.
He added that, “Preliminary findings into the matter indicate that the leadership of a local church refered to as Christ Disciples Church (CDC) one Rev. Enyaku James and Pastor Orago Augustine convinced their followers that God has a plan for them to go to Ethiopia to spread the gospel. Every member of the church was convinced to contribute two million shillings each for processing travel documents and to provide one bag of flour. Followers consequently, sold off their properties such as cattle, land and other house hold items to raise the money.”
“Those who met the requirements for travel are estimated to be around one hundred individuals who were allegedly moved by the church leadership to Ethiopia to spread the gospel. Among the individuals that traveled are one Simon Peter Opolot the Acting commercial officer Serere district and his wife.”
He added that, the Uganda Police is working to locate the leadership of the church and to ascertain the whereabouts of the members of the church. We are meanwhile following leads and ask the public to provide information within their knowledge to the officers of Serere Central Police Station.”
“We want to assure the families and loved ones of members of the church that they should not lose hope as the search is ongoing. We shall trace for the location of the leadership , and bring all perpetrators to book.”