A renowned prophet in Oriyoi village, Malaba Sub County in Tororo district, has been found in possession of several kilograms of opium, tear gas canisters, a gun, and 31 rounds of ammunition.

Police confirmed the arrest on November 16, 2023, during a joint search with the Uganda Wild Life Authority (UWA), where they discovered a number of irregularities in his house after he had defied several police summons.

Prophet Jowel Emmanuel, the founder and head of Emmanuel Ministries International, has also been accused of engaging in cult activities after he was found with an underground tunnel in his temple, which he claimed was a place of prayer and fasting for his family.

In November 2023, he was accused of illegal possession of a monkey that had grown wild and started biting people in the neighborhood, biting eight pupils of Oriyoi primary school. The cruelty of the monkey almost caused the school to prematurely close to safely guard the children.

According to Michael Ekolite, the LC I of the area, he had received numerous complaints from the residents, and he tried to caution Jowel, whom he said adamantly refused to get his monkey in control.

The local chairperson and other residents of Orioyi had called upon UWA to come to their rescue to save them from the monkey before it caused more havoc.

Jowel Emmanuel is currently in police custody at Tororo Central Police Station, as he awaits to be charged in the courts of law.