Denis Kintu, a self-styled ‘miracle stick’ prophet and pastor, is in more trouble after local security closed his church, and as court in Hoima City further remanded him to prison.
Prophet Kintu was arrested last week on August 31 after a recording showing him whipping some of his church members, allegedly as a way of exorcizing demons out of them, and after his ‘miracle stick’ reportedly disappeared into thin air, went viral on social media.
The ‘man of God,’ who for a few years has been the lead at Empowerment City Church in Kyesiga, Hoima City, was then arraigned before Hoima Grade One Magistrates court where he was charged with 18 counts of trafficking in persons, assault, and promoting sectarianism.
He was then remanded to Kiryatete Prison after being detained at the Hoima City Central Police Station.
Police and state prosecution court presided over by Elijah Iradukunda, the Hoima Principal Grade One Magistrate, that on August 28, 2022 while at Empowerment City Church in Kyesiga Cell, Hoima West Division, Pastor Kintu and his co-accused Brian Nsimbe assaulted church members.
Kintu and Nsimbe returned to court on Wednesday, September 07, 2022.
The two suspects pleaded not guilty to all the counts they were charged with.
Through their lawyer Simon Kasangaki, Kintu and Nsimbe, filed a bail application so that they would be allowed to leave prison.
But Iradukunda, the Hoima Principal Grade One Magistrate, declined to hear the bail application.
The presiding magistrate adjourned court to Friday, September 09, when their application for bail will be heard.
If their prayer for bail is granted, Prophet Kintu and Nsimbe could be released so that they can be coming to the temple of justice from their homes.
State prosecution’s report on the status of investigations will be key in determining whether Kintu and Nsimbe will be granted bail or not.
It is not uncommon for the state to argue that releasing suspects will interfere with investigations.
If their bail application is successful, Kintu and Nsimbe will return home but they may not have access to their church congregation since their church in Kyesiga, Hoima, Empowerment City Church, has been closed by the district security committee led by Badru Mugabi, the Hoima Resident City Commissioner (RCC).
Troubles for ‘Prophet’ Denis Kintu started when a video showing him beating his church members like chicken thieves over the alleged loss of his ‘miracle’ stick, and in order to reportedly chase demons out of them. (Watch Video and Read Story Here).
Following his arrest, Prophet Kintu said he beat his followers as a way of following Jesus Christ’s example since the Son of God had also beaten people he found trading in His Father’s House. (Read Story Here).
Some of his followers also cried to police, telling officers to release their Prophet Kintu or they die. (Read Story HERE).
