CULTS: Where is Sserulanda?

Oct 07, 2019

It was founded by Bambi Baaba Baabuwe who wielded immense power over his followers, who considered him a “god in human form”

Sserulanda Spiritual Foundation was founded by Bambi Baaba Baabuwe Mugonza. His birth name was Joseph Mugonza, but was fondly called Jose Owaffe.

He was born at Kyanamukaaka in Masaka District to Falazia Nakanwagi. He grew up a herbalist, diviner and healer, operating in Kyotera and Kalisizo in Rakai district. He reportedly later linked up with some Indian businessmen in Kyotera who sponsored him to travel to India in 1969.

He is remembered for the dream free trade zone in Kabila, Kakuuto and Kasasa sub-counties in Kyotera whose construction the government blocked in 2008, over alleged controversies that surrounded his Sserulanda spiritual movement.

enunulira yenunula testifies before the special commission of inquiry ile hotoBenunulira Eyenunula testifies before the special commission of inquiry. File Photo

 

President Yoweri Museveni set up a special commission of inquiry headed by Prof Nelson Ssewankambo to investigate the activities of Sserulanda spiritual foundation. The report from the commission has never been made public.

The investigations stemmed from concerns about the establishment of a separate governmental structure to govern the 200 square miles in Rakai and the power the Ssesamirembe leaders would have to enact their own laws, ordinances, by-laws and procedures.

Baaba was said to wield immense power over his followers, who considered him a "god in human form." He is said to have claimed to have gotten a vision as early as three years of age to build a city and eradicate poverty.

embers of commission of inquiry on erulandasesamirembe activities touring ugore stones ile hotoMembers of commission of inquiry on Serulanda/Ssesamirembe activities touring Mugore stones. File Photo

 

There, he went through what his followers call the "12 stages of initiation" and became a "disciple of a divine living Master of Ancient Wisdom".

By the late 1970s, he reportedly started buying land from individual households in Rakai, until he was able to secure a vast expanse of land on which a proposed eco-city and free trade zone would be built.

In his cult, members are strictly forbidden from eating meat or any animal product and drinking alcohol. This is allegedly in line with the teachings of Baaba, who combines Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and traditional Bachwezi practices in his religion.

resident oweri useveni meeting members of the commission of inquiry at tate ouse akasero in pril 2008 ile hotoPresident Yoweri Museveni meeting members of the commission of inquiry at State House Nakasero in April 2008. File Photo

 

Other practices include common ownership of some assets for the common good like land, kitchens, cattle kraals, reference library and burial grounds. Though members are allowed to own some personal private property like houses, cars, radios or television sets, they were all required to contribute to the common good.

Anyone who failed to contribute risked having their membership cancelled or be denied access to communally owned resources.

Baaba admitted to preserving bodies of dead people but explained that his beliefs allowed him. The preserved bodies were kept in a mausoleum called Baloola house.

ebigemera ema gemera igemero centre who testified before the probe that he died three times and was resurrected by ambi aaba aabuwe ile hotoSebigemera Gema Ngemera Bigemero (centre) who testified before the probe that he died three times and was resurrected by Bambi Baaba Baabuwe. File Photo

 

Mugonza's followers were estimated to be over 1,000 and spread in different countries including the US. Gertrude Njuba was one of the prominent members having been initiated on June 5, 1998, in the US. Mugonza died in July 2017.

According to Dr Bijumiro-jumiro, Mugonza was to be replaced with another leader who would hold the title of "The living saint" or "the living master saint", to be picked from devotees the deceased trained to the level of ‘saints'.

harles eter ayiga who was the uganda kingdom spokesman appearing before the probe committee in arch 2009 ile hotoCharles Peter Mayiga who was the Buganda kingdom spokesman appearing before the probe committee in March 2009. File Photo

 

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