‘Prophet’ Elijah jailed 40 years for defilement

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Criminal Division of the High Court in Kampala has sentenced Elijah Kimera to 40 years in jail for preying on his followers and defiling a 16-year-old girl with whom he fathered twins and also infected with HIV. The court, presided over by Lady Justice Margaret Mutonyi, on Monday sentenced Kimera, a Prophet of Faith Centre Church of All Nations located in Lusanja, Wakiso, after finding him guilty on charges of aggravated defilement.

The court heard that the victim’s mother was a member of Kimera’s church, but the two adults (Kimera and the victim’s mother) developed sexual relations that resulted in the birth of two children. Later, the victim of defilement, who was then studying in senior three, was introduced to the prophet for spiritual guidance and also became a choir member. It was during these moments at night that Kimera had sexual intercourse with the victim in the car while it was parked within the church compound.

According to the records before the court, Kimera continued abusing the victim until she birthed twins, which the judge strongly described as an abomination in African culture to sire children with both a mother and a daughter, turning them into co-wives. While delivering her sentence, Lady Justice Mutonyi condemned Kimera for being deceptive and manipulative by continuously denying knowledge of the victim’s whereabouts, only for the court to rescue her and the twins from his church.

The judge indicated that it was only after all these facts were laid bare that the Kimera was exposed as a false prophet, having engaged in sexual activity on the sacred ground of the church. Only then did he have a change of heart, pleading guilty and asking for forgiveness from both the court and Christ.

However, Justice Mutonyi stated that remorse after being exposed is aimed at manipulating the court into giving a lenient sentence. Even after Kimera was granted bail, he continued to cohabit with the victim until she reached the age of consent a year ago.

The judge noted that courts owe a duty to protect underage girls from sexual predators like Kimera, adding that even in criminal sessions, 70% of listed cases are for aggravated defilement. Justice Mutonyi emphasized that defilement at church is akin to defilement at home because pastors are like spiritual parents, pointing out that, in this particular case, relatives will live with trauma.

After all, both mother and daughter were birthed from the same man, who, due to his reckless sexual behavior, infected them with a deadly disease. Kimera has been informed that he has the right to appeal only the sentence, but not the conviction because he was convicted on his plea of guilty. The courtroom audience was surprised as the facts of the case were being read.

Kimera, a 35-year-old man, has now gone back to prison to begin serving a jail term longer than the years he has lived on earth.

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