Police move to expose fake pastors, traditional healers extorting Ugandans

Kampala, (UG):- Police have issued a warning regarding the increasing number of fraudulent pastors and traditional healers accused of defrauding Ugandans through extortion under the guise of spiritual healing.

Speaking to the media at the weekly press briefing at Police Headquarters Naguru on Monday, ACP Rusoke Kituuma noted these individuals are preying on unsuspecting citizens, with many falling victim to their fraudulent practices.

Preliminary investigations have revealed alarming patterns of activity among these fake pastors and traditional healers. These individuals typically operate as religious leaders during the day, conducting services and prayers for their followers.

However, at night, they transform into traditional healers, continuing to exploit their victims in different ways. The places of worship they run are often in settings that include traditional shrines, further adding to the deception.

“These individuals pose as religious pastors during the day but transform into traditional healers at night. Their places of worship often include traditional shrines. When victims demand refunds, which is usually in the form of cash and physical property, these fake pastors /healers resort to issuing threats.” ACP Kituuma explained.

He added that police have already identified several suspects involved in this scheme and are actively investigating their operations. He further assured the public that these individuals will soon be exposed and brought to justice.

“The police have identified several suspects and plan to expose them as well as have them prosecuted. In the meantime, we urge the public to be cautious and report any encounters with these deceitful individuals to police,” Kituuma noted.

Previous incidents

The incident comes against the backdrop of continued exploitation of believers by religious leaders and pastors who have resorted to claiming healing powers to drain their followers.

In one similar incident in Kampala, a self-proclaimed pastor was arrested after several victims accused him of promising spiritual healing in exchange for large sums of money. The pastor [names withheld] was operating in a makeshift shrine in the outskirts of the city. Victims who had initially sought healing found themselves stripped of their savings, only to be met with intimidation when they demanded refunds.

In Mbale District, a group of individuals posing as traditional healers was apprehended after swindling numerous people by claiming to offer miraculous cures for ailments. These suspects had set up operations in secluded areas, offering false promises of healing in exchange for cash and valuable goods, leaving victims in a state of financial distress.

In Northern Uganda, police in Gulu are investigating a case where a fake pastor issued threats against a group of believers who demanded their money back after no healing or miracles occurred as promised. The pastor, who had been operating in the region, reportedly used intimidation tactics to silence the victims, further deepening the deception and exploitation.