THE Police and local leaders in Lweyo, Bulera sub-county in Mityana district have closed a born-again church following allegations that it was operating illegally.
The local leaders had earlier complained to the Police that people were being starved and the sick prevented from seeking medical help by the Miracle Healing Church.
The officer in charge of Namutamba Police post, Charles Wagabaza, and the local leaders closed the church on Tuesday.
About 10 people were found at the church, which is located on a two-acre piece of land. The pastor, George Rwalinda, was not at the premises.
A man identified as David Dayari said Rwalinda had gone to Busoga.
“Rwalinda left us with instructions to pray all the time. I lost all my riches but I am sure my prayers and his blessings will restore the riches,” Dayari said.
A woman, who claimed to be a teacher, said: “I have been with HIV/AIDS for over 20 years. I was on ARVs, but since I came here in October, I am getting well. I have now stopped taking the drugs.”
The Police, however, ordered the people to vacate the premises.
“We cannot leave these people here. They should go as we continue with investigations,” Wagabaza said.
“We have written to the pastor several times stopping him from running this church until he presents clear documents about it, but he refused to stop,” said the area secretary for security, Aloysius Katamba. He said most of the believers were suffering from AIDS.
He added that they usually fast for over three days, taking only water.
In the same village, a three-month-old baby was recovered from a house in a critical condition. He looked malnourished.
Residents said the baby’s mother, Joyce Mutezi, refused to take him to hospital, saying prayers would heal him.
The district Police commander, Ben Mubangizi, said they had launched investigations into the matter.
