Pastor Arrested With 'Miracle' Machine
The Monitor (Kampala)
NEWS
8 July 2007
Posted to the web 9 July 2007
By Martin Ssebuyira and Zurah Nakabugo
Kampala
It's as strange as it's true. A man of God of Ghaniain extraction was arrested and interrogated at Entebbe Airport after he attempted to clear a machine which, police say, he has been using to deliver electric current on unsuspecting worshippers during church service.
"Pastor" Obiri Konjo Yeboah on July 5 failed to convince Aviation Police officers why he needed this machine to do God's work. He is now facing serious charges including fraud and false pretence," Police Spokesman Asan Kasingye told Sunday Monitor yesterday.
Police said the machine can be worn like a corset on the body. It also can generate up to 12 volts.
"When [he] touches his flock, they fall down [thinking] he is using super natural powers," Mr Asan Kasingye said. The machine is placed on any part of the body and gives a pleasant electric shock to whoever touches you.
The waterproof electric machine is activated within 10 seconds and can emit sparks of static electricity between the user's fingers while in darkness. The Yigal Mesika Company in Los angels America manufactures the machine known for freaking people's minds.
Mr Kasingye said the machine using the body as a conductor of electricity, transfers the current to the person in contact but the one using the device remains unaffected.
Other "Born Again" pastors including the head of the National Council of Born Again Churches (NCBC), a body that regulate Pentecostal churches, are calling for prosecution of Yebowa.
"Police should interrogate him properly, know where he stays and the people he works with so that we get a clear picture of it all," said Pastor Alex Mitala who heads NCBC.
Yeboah is a pastor in We Are One Ministry Church on Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road, Makerere. His father, other pastors say, is Obiri Yeboah, the controversial pioneer of miracle healing in Uganda. His followers include several local pastors who include John Kakande.
Pastor Solomon Male said: "It's a pity they have arrested Yeboa but police should not allow him to use a machine to deceive he has supernatural powers," Male said.
"Yebowa's father was a witch, magician and I am not surprised that he was caught with that machine," Male added.
Pastor Arrested With 'Miracle' Machine
Author