Kanungu ‘Kibweteere’ Cult Massacre Orphans Petition Parliament For Compensation

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.

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.

In March 2000 the group began slaughtering cattle and buying massive amounts of Coca-Cola. These events did not initially raise alarm, but they were preparation for a feast before death. On March 17, Kibweteere apparently died in the group’s mass suicide. A member of Kibweteere’s family stated that Joseph’s actions were completely influenced by Credonia Mwerinde.

A great deal remains unclear about his story and the movement. The BBC reported that Kibweteere had been treated for bipolar disorder a year or so before the group suicide. At the time the Ugandan authorities considered him a fugitive and mass-murderer because they believed him to have escaped. The date and nature of the apocalypse they expected is debated.

There is one camp that indicates they believed it would come in 1999 and that the 2000 suicide was caused by the failure of that prophecy. This would seem confirmed by some of their activities of 1999, but in their literature 2000 is often seen as the end year. The nature of his role and significance to the events is also disputed. Due to the circumstances of events, satisfactory answers to these and other questions may never be forthcoming. Kibwetere did all this in the Kanungu district in western Uganda.