Acid attack on city pastor was act of terror - clerics

The men of God want government to treat the perpetrators like armed robbers who should face severe punishment.

Kampala

The acid attack on Apostle Umar Mulinde that left his eye damaged, was a terrorism act, leaders of born again Christians said yesterday. They said the government should be seen to take tough action on acid and other dangerous chemical use in the country.

The acid attack left Mr Mulinde’s right eye damaged and his face disfigured. Apparently, the attacker approached Apostle Mulinde appearing to seek help but when the man of God moved closer to listen to him, he was splashed with the caustic acid before he could recognise the assailant.

Ball in police’s court
Addressing journalists yesterday, the leaders under the National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches (NFBPC), said they could seek their own ways of getting at Mr Mulinde’s attackers but that they have left the police and other security agencies to do their part and bring the culprits to book. “This is a terrorism act that government should take seriously,” said Bishop David Kiganda, the Kampala regional head of NFBPC.

Bishop Kiganda, also said they were still monitoring Mr Mulinde to consider flying him to South Africa to have his face rehabilitated. Mr Mulinde told the media from his hospital bed that his attack was heavily linked to his preaching and interpretation of the Quran.

By yesterday, the Man of God was still hospitalised at Kampala International Hospital. Following the attack which happened close to midnight when Mr Mulinde was leaving his Gospel Life Church at Namasuba in Kampala, police said they arrested one suspect.

Kampala Metropolitan Spokesman Ibin Ssenkumbi said: “The suspect has given us good leads which we are now following. There are suspects we are looking for whom we haven’t arrested yet.” Yesterday morning, Namasuba residents arrested another man they claimed to have seen in the area at the time the acid attack took place and handed him to Katwe Police Station. But Mr Ssenkumbi said he was later released without any charge because their investigations revealed that he was innocent.

Pastor Michael Kimuli of Christian Discipleship Ministries said there should be a policy on acid because many people have been attacked and nothing is being done. “People who attack others with acid should be taken like armed robbers. Government should formulate a policy on acid sellers, buyers and those who distribute it,” he said.

mssebuyira@ug.nationmedia.com