Police apologise to Anglican bishops over Mukono attack
The minister for General duties in the Office of the Prime Minister Ms Mary Karooro Okurut (Centre) with bishops and Mukono DPC of Fred Ahimbisibwe (Right) after a meeting in Mukono in which police apologised over the attacks on the clergy on Tuesday. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA
What you need to know:
The reason. Police say they were supposed to escort the clerics on their tour of the land but were held up.
MUKONO.
Police yesterday apologised to the bishops of the Church of Uganda for failing to provide security to them while touring church land in Ntawo, Mukono, where they survived a mob.
Police on Tuesday rescued the prelates led by Archbishop Stanley Ntagali from an irate mob that attacked them while coming from a tour of the one-square mile land that belongs to the church.
The land under contention at Ntawo in Mukono is being developed by the Uganda Christian University (UCU) on behalf of the church.
Mr Fred Ahimbisbwe, the Mukono District police commander, yesterday apologised for the force’s failure to execute its mandate. “It is true I received the letter from UCU requesting us to accompany the bishops. We were supposed to give you security but I was in a meeting so I did not know that you (bishops) had gone to the place,” Mr Ahimbisbwe said.
Addressing the bishops at the opening of the 23rd Provincial Assembly at UCU in Mukono, Mr Ahimbisbwe said they are investigating the matter to bring the culprits to book.
The Mukono police boss reported that one person has since been arrested in connection with the incident and that others will be brought to book.
Bishops from the 35 dioceses throughout the country are meeting to review the 10-year strategic plan of the Church of Uganda. The Assembly is also set to discuss issues to do with Church land which is being grabbed by various people.
Archbishop Ntagali asked the residents who participated in the violent attack against the men of God to repent for what they did.
“We have forgiven them but they must repent,” said Archbishop Ntagali, adding that everyone should be a peace lover and a peace promoter because there will be judgment on the final day.
“Leave at peace with your neighbour and protect your neighbours’ property,” he added.
Archbishop Ntagali said: “We want to protect our land from encroachers which is part of corruption in Uganda and has to be avoided.”
The minister in Charge of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, Ms Mary Karooro Okurut, said the Prime Minister has instructed the relevant arms of government to take action and bring the culprits to book.
While representing the Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, the minister said government would work to ensure that such acts of violence do not happen in the country.
Bishop William Ssebagala of Mukono Diocese said there is a big challenge where people are arrested and big people in government release them.
“This is not the first time, previously some residents attacked officials on that same piece of land, police arrested them but ‘big’ people in government ordered for their release,” he said.
