The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Kazimba Mugalu has asked for a serious and impartial inquiry into the demolition of St. Peters Church in Ndeeba Kampala.
In a stament released by the House of the Bishops, Archbishop Kazimba termed the actions as barbaric stating that people have lost respect for God.
“This barbaric act of destruction is evil. If an action cannot be done in broadday light , then there is something wrong. We have lost respect for God. This destruction of the house of God took place in darkness of the night during curfew and the security who are supposed to uphold the law and guard against destroyers were allegedly complicit in the destruction of a house of God. Squatter have rights after being on land for 12years and yet St Peters church has been on that land for the last 40yrs. We call for a serious and impartial inquiry into this act,” Read excerpts of the statement.
On Monday night at around 11pm, alleged court baillifs working for a one Dodovico demolished the church in question leaving only the cross tower standing over land disputes between him and the church.
But Archbishop Kazimba who wrote in Biblical illusions of St. Mathew 16:18: “The gates of hell will not prevail against the church of Jesus Christ,” said that the destruction of St Peters church will not deter the church from preaching the word of God.
He appealed to the Christians to keep calm pledging to stand in solidarity with the Bishop of Namirembe Diocese.
Earlier yesterday, the police confirmed to have arrested 3 of their own and 11 others in connection to the demolition of the said church.
The arrested officers according to Police are; DPC Katwe, SP Epedu David, OC Station Ndeeba Police Station ASP Mugira Yeko Kato and Field Force Unit (FFU) Commander KMP/South Region, ASP Isabirye Kaloli. They are being charged with neglect of duty.
Police distanced itself from speculations that it had information about the demolition activities.
Patrick Onyango, the KMP Spokesperson stressed that the demolition was done in disregard of Government directives that no demolition or evictions were supposed to be done during this COVID-19 period.
“Police were not informed about the eviction and demolition as the practice is. The team found people demolishing the said church and arrested 11 suspects.” reads part of the statement.
“We have also arrested Police Officers who were supposed to provide security to Church properties but failed to do so.” Read the other part.
Others arrested include: Kawooya Mohammad, Bbosa Muniru, Kiberu Amza, Mutebi Abbasi, Bulega Ali, Matovu Simon ,Kalika Ali, Mujuzi Andrew, Ssekito Badru, Isirinya John and Maruti Bashir.
The State House Anti Corruption Unit Boss, Lt Col Edith Nakalema in a meeting with police, Church leadership and others at her office in Kampala condemned the acts and ordered for expeditious investigations and arrest of whoever was involved into this act.
Political leaders and security persons such as the Kampala city Lord Mayor Ssalongo Erias Lukwago, Minister of Lands Betty Kamya who reached at the scene called the acts as satanic and sinister. The Brokenhearted Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi also visited the scene in tearful eyes but couldn’t say something due to too much and unbearable pains.
By publication time, these were being detained at Katwe Police station as investigations into the matter are ongoing.
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