Pastor arrested for defiling Primary Seven girl

BUDAKA- Police have arrested a senior pastor attached to Hope of Glory Church in Kabuna Sub-county in Budaka District on allegations of defiling a 15-year-old girl.

Police say the suspect is the director of Hope of Glory Primary School, where the alleged victim was a Primary Seven pupil.

Mr Moses Vabekuno, who deputises the officer in charge of Criminal Investigations Department at Budaka Central Police Station, said the suspect reportedly committed the crime at his home on Saturday.

The suspect’s home is few metres away from the school.

“The mother of the victim reported the case to police,” Mr Vabekuno said.

Mr Vabekuno said that during interrogation, the victim confessed that the pastor defiled her at his home on Saturday morning.

“The victim also said that on several occasions, the pastor had been attempting to force her into sex in school classrooms and in his office,” Mr Vabekuno said.

Mr Vabebuko said that a medical examination that was carried on the girl indicated that there was sexual intercourse.

He said that the suspect who is detained at Budaka Central Police Station, will face defilement charges.

Mr Vabebuko, however, said the accused denies the accusation.

 “He [suspect] said the accusations were being stage managed by his opponents to spoil his image and stop all development projects he is running in the district,” he said.

The District Education officer, Mr Paul Higenyi said they have ordered for the closure of the suspect’s school following the incident.

“We have taken the decision after we discovered that the school did not meet the basic requirements and minimum operating standards as stipulated by the Ministry of Education,” he said.

Mr Moses Guloba, the chairperson Budaka District Private Schools Owners Association condemned the suspect’s conduct.

Pastor James Shaine, the overseer of born again churches in Budaka District said they have resolved to excommunicate the suspect.

“We have resolved to excommunicate him from the Born Again Faith because such an act is detrimental to our faith and reputation,” he said.