05.Jul.2007

Police at Entebbe International Airport have confiscated a piece of equipment that they suspect can explain some of the supernatural occurrences that are taking place in Uganda’s Pentecostal churches.

According to the police, some miraculous phenomena, like large groups of people falling to the ground under the pretext of being slain by the Holy Spirit, are caused by this equipment.

Herman Owomugisha, the police airport commandant, says the equipment was brought into the country by Rev. Nana Kojo Obiri Yeboa, a Ghanaian pastor of We Are One Ministries located along Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road in Kampala. He says suspicions about the equipment were raised by customs officials when Pastor Obiri Yeboa went to clear it at the airport today.

According to Owomugisha the equipment, which was falsely labeled as an electronic torch, bore several warnings. The label cautioned against the use of the equipment near pacemakers, near computers, or near sensitive body parts like ears and the breasts and lips of pregnant women. It said misuse of the equipment could be lethal.

When the police questioned Obiri Yeboa about the equipment, which looks very much like blood pressure testing equipment, he claimed that he brought it into the country for his child’s birthday party.

Not satisfied with his answer, the police demanded that the pastor demonstrate its use. Owomugisha says the police were astonished at the results.

Obiri Yeboa tied the equipment on one leg and placed an accompanying magnet on the bottom of his shoe on the opposite leg. Owomugisha says that when he approached or touched the policemen in the room, they automatically fell to the ground. When the pastor put his hands in water, it bubbled like it was boiling; and when he put his hands in sand, the dust rose as if disturbed by wind.

Owomugisha says the 12-volt equipment creates shockwaves that affect those touched by the wearer. He says Obiri Yeboa explained that in order fully administer the shock, he stands with his legs apart on a water –soaked carpet. He receives 20 percent of the shock and the rest is delivered to his audience.

Obiri Yeboa he imported the equipment valued at 400,000 shillings from London.

Owomugisha says the pastor has not yet been charged with any offence. He has however been detained by the police for questioning.

The discovery of Obiri Yeboa’s equipment comes amidst a flurry of reports in the Ugandan press about unscrupulous pastors who use their spiritual authority and alleged miraculous powers to con their congregations of millions of shillings.