By Frederick Kiwanuka

A total of 25 people belonging to a cult, whose members are barred from eating cooked food, have been arrested by the Police in Nakaseke district over holding an illegal assembly and trespass.

The group led by John Kusasira and Lameck Yawe was found in a forest at Kaddunda village, Kapeeka sub-county, where they had gone for a one-week retreat.

The cult also forbids its members from drinking tea, milk or beverages.

The acting head of the district criminal investigations department, Julius Nkurunziza, yesterday said the members had also removed their children from school and sold most of their property, saying they were getting ready to go to heaven.

“The arrested were originally 27, but two juveniles were pardoned. Four of the 25 arrested are women,” Nkurunziza explained.

He added they had congregated on private land without the consent of the owner, Kiyingi Kayigwa.

Kayigwa filed a complaint at Kapeeka Police post, Nkurunziza added.

In July, 14 members of a similar cult were arrested in Luweero district and sentenced to one year imprisonment.

The Police are cracking down on cults that encourage isolation after the March 17, 2000 mass suicide of over 500 members of a cult based in Kanungu in western Uganda.