Sect members jailed for one year

RUHANGO–A court in Ruhango has sentenced 15 members of an illegal religious sect to 12 months in prison after a judge convicted them of obstructing development programmes and violation of children’s rights.The Primary Court of Ruhango, presided over by magistrate Jeanne Byukusenge, ruled that the suspects, who are all members of Abagorozi group, have voluntarily and willingly opposed various development policies and instigated others to do the same.Members of the sect from various sectors came to hear the verdict.But, as they discussed outside the courtroom before and after the verdict was pronounced, they appeared to support those who were convicted.Clad in casual clothes, the accused appeared in court holding bibles and appeared calm as the judge read out the verdict.They were jailed for, among others, refusing to acquire the National Identity Card and denying children a right to education.“By admitting youngsters in your group instead of helping them to attend classes, you violated their rights to education. Thus, you committed a criminal act which is punishable under Rwandan and international laws,” the judge said.“You have also willingly refused to acquire the National Identity Card under the pretext of religious beliefs-which is also an offence”.The judge ruled that they have to go to jail as they did not show remorse for their actions.“Therefore, the court finds all the accused guilty and sentences them to one year in jail, judge Byukusenge ruled as she imposed a fine of Rwf50,000 on each of them.Those convicted are; Deogratias Hakizimana 38, Elevanie Uwamungu 41, Pascal Habiyambere 38, Felecita Mukakazungu 33 and Josephina Mutuyimana 43. Others are Epiphanie Muragijimana 20, Felicite Mukarusine 38, Julienne Mukamana 43, Mediatrice Murwanashyaka 43, Phoibe Nyiranzikobankunda 57 and Azera Umutoni 43.Others include Ignace Niyonzima 32, Jean Damascene Nsanzimana 43, Felicita Mukagasana and Damalisa Mukagasana.The group was arrested in mid-July in Bweramana Sector, Ruhango District, during a service at the house of one of its members. At the time, they were with 13 teenagers, who were released due to their age.On July 26, they were produced before the Primary Court of Ruhango which heard their case.And, on Monday afternoon, the court pronounced its verdict, declaring all the accused guilty.Who are AbagoroziAbagorozi is a sect which broke away from the 7th Day Adventist Church. Its members do not appreciate being called 7th Day Adventists, preferring rather to identify them as the ‘Real Adventists’. But, local residents, local leaders and security sources said they are better known as Abagorozi.It is not yet clear when the group started, but it is noticeable that many of its followers are uneducated or have barely completed primary education. They are notorious for their distinctive beliefs and for making a determined stand against various national programmes and policies.Members of Abagorozi believe Jesus is the Supreme Healer, Educator, Teacher, Judge… and any other possible qualifier to justify their resistance.In addition, they say they do not have a hierarchy, claiming each one of them is a pastor and a follower at the same time. They have no known church but rather hold their prayer meetings in the homes of members.‘Abagorozi’ never acquire an Identity Card (ID), they do not subscribe to the health insurance scheme (Mutuelle de santé) nor do they study or allow their children to attend classes. They also do not participate in elections and never take part in the monthly community work (Umuganda).In addition, they never own mobile phones or other ‘modern’ equipment, which they consider worldly and outrageous to their faith.Due to these attitudes, they are considered as “hardliners”. Many of them have even been jailed on several occasions.But, followers of this sect say they draw their beliefs “deep from the bible” and other “holy writings”. What is common among them is that they believe God will do every thing for them without making any effort apart from praying.One of them, who declined to give his names, told The New Times after Monday’s ruling that he was jailed more than two times after being convicted of obstructing government policies. He said he is not frightened by the jail term imposed on his colleagues.“The last time I was jailed for three months for not participating in elections. But, that will not make me drop my faith,” he said.When asked whether he was once again ready to go to prison for his faith, he replied: “Yes, I am, these sentences cannot make us lose the way because the one we believe in is the Supreme Judge,” he added in reference to Jesus Christ.He said the reason they resist government policies is because they need to concentrate on preparing their final days on earth. He said: “We are on our way back home”-a metaphoric reference to ‘heaven’.Another woman, who also declined to identify herself but said she is a mother of five, said she pushed her young daughter to drop out of school. Asked why she did that, she said: “I did it after I discovered God”.And, Ernestine Mukeshimana, a young girl aged 14, told this paper she dropped out of school two years ago when she was still in Primary Four. And her reason is similar to that of others. “I chose to leave school after I realised that God is the sole teacher. It is my right to choose what I do,” she said, as she walked out of the court after hearing the verdict.