Joseph Kibwetere, 2000 News

Ugandan cult leader, duped scores of Ugandans into surrendering their possessions to him and joining his sect, Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God. In March, as many as 530 cult members died in an intentionally set fire at the group's compound. Days later, more than 150 bodies were found—many stabbed or strangled—in mass graves on sect property. Investigators believe that cult members were killed when they questioned Kibwetere, who prophesied that the world would end on Dec. 31, 1999, or demanded that their possessions be returned. Kibwetere's body was not found; he is believed to have fled the compound before the fire.