Six SDA members arraigned in court over beating up their bishop

Six members of the Seventh Day Adventist church in Fort Portal in Kabarole District, western Uganda have been charged with assault and simple robbery after they allegedly beat up their bishop.

Jonathan Kihumuro, Amos Mugenyi, Joshua Kakwezi, Bob Kahebwa, Moses Mutegeki and Julius Kakwezi allegedly assaulted Pastor Samuel Mwebaza, the Bishop of the Western Uganda Field of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Fort Portal in western Uganda in his office on Moldina Street on Tuesday.
However, they were on Friday released on a non-cash bail of Shs3 million each after presenting two substantial sureties.

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SDA Church Christians beat up their bishop

 He was also accused of misusing church money by opting to stay in expensive hotels yet the Church owns houses for accommodation

SDA Church Christians beat up their bishop

 He was also accused of misusing church money by opting to stay in expensive hotels yet the Church owns houses for accommodation

The presiding Grade One magistrate, Ms Nazifa Namayaja ordered them to appear in court on April 9.

Court heard that on March 19, 2019, the accused attacked the Bishop in his office and allegedly assaulted him and vandalised his property before stealing his phone.

Before the attack, the suspects accused the Bishop and his team of misappropriating church funds, apostasy, immorality in the church and failing church projects like Kabarole Adventist Secondary School and Kihembo Health Centre II.

On Thursday, Mr Immanuel Ogwal, the Director Communication/Public Affairs of Uganda Union Mission of the Seventh day Adventist church released a statement condemning the attack.
He said the church leadership will come up with a resolution over the matter.

However, some of the elders from Western Uganda Field have petitioned the Kabarole District Police commander, Mr Jamal Kanyesigye seeking closure of the Western Uganda Field offices.

“Due to what happened on March 19, we have learnt of the move to shift the headquarters to another place and according to the information we are getting, some officers have started shifting some properties which may cause more harm. We hereby write for the immediate closure of the offices located at Molidina Street in Fort Portal town,” their petition reads in part.

The petition copied to Kabarole RDC and other authorities was signed by over 50 members.
The elders also condemned the attack by the Christians but say their matter needs to be resolved immediately.

The Kabarole Resident District Commissioner Mr Steven Asiimwe said police are still investigating the matter and that they have written to church authorities in Kampala to resolve the issues.

The Western Uganda Field was started in 1989 and covers Tooro and Bunyoro sub regions.