Luwero Magistrate Court has ordered “Jesus” Navas Vera, leader of Star Glopper Eden church, to pay a fine of 300,000 shillings for refusing to participate in the national census.
Navas Vera and his follower, El Shadai Gracy, appeared before Magistrate Christopher Adyeeri Kingi Tindyeebwa on Wednesday. Navas Vera claimed he belonged to another world and didn’t need to be counted, citing biblical teachings. The Magistrate fined Navas Vera and cautioned El Shadai Gracy, emphasizing that while religious beliefs are respected, refusing to be counted hinders planning for the community’s benefit.
Jesus Navas Vera and his follower El Shadai Gracy were remanded at Butuntumula prison last week after admitting to refusing to participate in the national census. State Attorney Sarah Nakire told the court that on May 13th, 2024, the two refused to be counted when approached by enumerator Patrick Kato in Luyima zone, citing religious prohibitions.
Despite efforts by area LCI Chairman Daniel Kikonyoggo to persuade them, they refused to comply. The matter was reported to the police, who arrested the two, but they declined to make a statement.Navas Vera and El Shadai Gracy confirmed the facts in court. The Magistrate convicted them based on their plea and asked them to explain why they should not receive the maximum sentence.
He also inquired about their reasons for refusing to be counted.With a smile, Navas Vera told the Magistrate that he had the power to either release him to continue preaching or imprison him. Navas Vera explained that he belongs to another world and cannot accept being counted by another government. He quoted biblical teachings, alleging that Herod used the census to search for Jesus and kill him.
When asked about his age and how he arrived in Luwero, Jesus Navas Vera told the magistrate that he wasn’t born, but rather came from Heaven, where he was already counted. He claimed to be the last Jesus Christ, not a human being. His follower, El Shadai Gracy, stated that she followed Navas Vera because he was her spiritual father from Heaven.
When pressed to prove his heavenly origin, El Shadai cited the Holy Spirit as her source and emphasized that in the Kingdom of Heaven, they aren’t supposed to be counted.
State Attorney Sarah Nakire sought a maximum sentence, arguing that their refusal to be counted sabotaged the government’s program and would set a bad example. However, their defense lawyer, Alia Kwizera, requested a custodial sentence considering they were first-time offenders who didn’t waste court time, and the census exercise had ended.
Magistrate Christopher Adyeeri Kingi Tindyeebwa ruled that their actions obstructed the lawful execution of the census exercise, punishable by a fine of 600,000 shillings or imprisonment for six months, or both, under the Uganda Bureau of Statistics Act.The Magistrate sentenced Navas Vera to a fine of 300,000 shillings or three months in jail, considering the importance of the exercise, mitigating factors, and the State Attorney’s request.
Noting that Navas Vera didn’t waste court time and aware of prison overcrowding, the Magistrate showed leniency. El Shadai Gracy received a caution and was released to care for her family. The Magistrate emphasized that while religious beliefs are respected, refusing to be counted hinders planning for the community’s benefit.
The Defense lawyer Alia Kwizera told URN Reporter after court that Jesus Navas Vera had accepted the sentence and efforts were underway to solicit funds to ensure he is released to continue to preach to his followers.By the time of compiling the story, Jesus Navas Vera and the follower were still locked in court cells as efforts were being made by the followers to look for money to secure their release.
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