Did You Know An African Occult Group Convinced Over 1000 Members To Commit Suicide

Strange But TrueMay 1, 2020Read original

Joseph Kibwetere was one of the leaders of the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God, a group that splintered from the Roman Catholic Church in Uganda.

The group gained infamy after 778 of its members were found dead from a fire believed to have been orchestrated by the cult leaders.

Other leaders of the cult were identified as Fr Dominic Kataribabo, Fr Joseph Kasapalaali and Credonia Mwerinde.

Although it was initially assumed that Kibwetere died in the incident, the Police shortly afterwards issued a warrant for his arrest and the other leaders of the group. In 2014 it was announced by the Police that there were reports indicating that Kibwetere was hiding in Malawi.

The cult sprang to life during a time when Uganda suffered from both religious and political upheaval. The strongest of which emphasised miracles and Marian apparitions.

In 1984 Kibwetere claimed to be experiencing sightings of the Virgin Mary. This vision had been brought to him by Credonia Mwerinde.

It is believed that 778 members died in the fire. However, six mass graves were found on the cult land measuring up to 48 hectares.

More than 280 bodies were found and recovered from these graves, bringing to the total death toll up to over 1000.

Residents and the police in this remote village believe that more than 400 members of a religious cult may have died in a suicide fire, but officials said a definite number would be difficult to establish.

Peter Benanga, 17, was the sole survivor of the fire. He claims he moved out of the compound in search of food since every member was taking part in mandatory fasting.

The cult preached millennial Armageddon, claiming that the world would end on December 31, 1999.

Believers were encouraged to pay their debts, make peace with other people, and sell off their property in preparation for the death.

The prophecy did not come to pass bringing mistrust among the believers.

The only official estimate of the death toll is based on the cult's registered membership last year, about 235. But the police say that later converts may also have died, and told The Associated Press that the toll could reach as high as 470. Local residents said about 400 cult members were not accounted for.

''We know the camp had many more occupants than usual,'' said Steven Mujuni, the local army commander.

WATCH VIDEO OF THE INCIDENCE BELOW:

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