I don’t remember attacking Bishop Luwalira - suspect

Accused. A police officer drags Herbert Solomon Kaddu to Mwanga II Magistrate’s Court in Kampala on April 4, 2019. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA

What you need to know:

  • Mr Luwagga is the official who is viewed in video clips clad in a blue robe, trying to intercept Kaddu as he ran towards the altar.

Kampala. A stick-wielding man, who was arrested as he rushed forward to beat Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira at the altar during Easter prayers, stunned court when he said he does not remember the incident.
Herbert Solomon Kaddu, 34, is charged with three offences of threatening Bishop Luwalira and Rev Benon Kityo with violence and disturbing religious assemblies.
Mr Kaddu is a tour and travel driver and resident of Mackay Zone, Mengo in Rubaga Division.

The accused person feigned ignorance of his actions when he was asked by state prosecutor, Ms Immaculate Nambaju, if he had any questions for the witness who had earlier pinned him. “I do not remember what happened on that day, I was just told. All I remember were beatings from people I kept begging to stop,” Mr Kaddu said.

He further confided in court that he suffers from a mental illness and he is currently receiving medical treatment at Butabika National Referral Hospital.
During the hearing, the accused wanted his relatives to present to court copies of his medical forms from Butabika hospital to relieve him of the charges.

However, the trial magistrate, Mr Julius Mwesigye, advised that it is still a prosecution case and all that will come at a later date. The first prosecution witness, Mr Rauben Wasswa Luwagga, a church officer at Namirembe Cathedral narrated that on the morning of April 1, minutes before the service started, he saw the accused in the church corridor running towards the altar.

Luwagga is the official who is viewed in video clips clad in a blue robe, trying to intercept Kaddu as he ran towards the altar.
The accused was arrested on Easter Sunday (April 1) while dressed in backcloth after jumping over several hurdles to the altar where Bishop Luwalira and the Rev Kityo were preparing the Holy Communion session from, throwing the entire congregation into panic.
Kaddu crashed on the altar barrier, allowing time for rescue of the stranded clerics.