The Ugandan Police are investigating a Ghanaian Pastor based in Uganda, Pastor Nana Kojo Yeboah, for allegedly procuring an "electric touch" machine which is believed to deliver Holy Spirit-like shock.

According to the Public Agenda, the temporary arrest of Pastor Kojo on July 5, and the possibility that many more pastors use the machine on unsuspecting worshipers desperate for miracles has stoked cynicism over the genuineness of exorcisms and miracle healings that have come to be identified with the Pentecostals.

Pastor Kojo, who was arrested and interrogated at Entebbe Airport on July 5 after he attempted to clear the gadget into that country, has claimed it was a birthday gift for his teenage children.

"This is an old machine; it's a toy. Children in developed countries play with it as a toy under the supervision of adults," said Mr Augustus Sewankambo, Pastor Kojo's lawyer. "Kojo's twins who stay in the UK had come to Uganda to celebrate their birthday with him and use the machine on the ceremony."

Kampala's Daily Monitor reported that Kojo had denied any wrongdoing claiming he was being "victimised" by police and some fellow pastors although he did not say why he was being picked on.

The manual of Pastor Kojo's gadget, which was confiscated by police, says the user needs to be "creative" with the machine, while an Internet ad declares: "Without a doubt, you will shock people."

On yigalmesika.com, the website for the gadget's makers, it is said that their products "are incredibly innovative, clever and a must for those who want to create miracles anywhere at anytime". It adds: "Everything you touch will turn to excitement."

The gadget, which can be worn like a corset on the body or under the sole of a shoe, can generate electricity of up to 12 volts, enough current to "pleasantly" shock dozens at a time.

According to the users' manual, "once your body is charged, you are able to transfer this electricity to other objects that are grounded or people".

But according to Vincent Karuhanga, a general medical practitioner with Kampala Polyclinic, "12 volts is not really much. But if you apply the 12 volts on one person for a long time, it can damage the nerves."

"I believe people can pray and God heals, but we have manipulated people," said Pastor Solomon Male of the Arising for Christ Ministries. "There is a cover-up."

According to Mr Male, who is noted for his tenacity in exposing vices amongst the balokole, "one does not need to fall down" to be delivered.

"When a person is hit and he falls today, the following Sunday he will fall to the ground before he is hit," he said. "People do not know that that is a machine because they have been made to believe that Holy Spirit power is shocking power."

Kampala lawyer Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi said Mr Kojo could face charges that fall under the general offence of false pretences with the possibility of serving up to five years in jail if found guilty.

"There are three possible offences: disturbing religious assemblies, stupefying in order to commit a misdemeanour, and even assault," Mr Rwakafuuzi said.

Source: Public Agenda