Masaka journalists demand release of colleague detained over Bishop controversy

Journalists in the Masaka Sub Region, under the umbrella of the Greater Masaka Journalists Association (GREMAJA), are demanding the unconditional release of their colleague, Jonan Bangirana Jjumba.

Jjumba, a freelance journalist based in Sembabule District, has been in and out of police cells for the past month over allegations of maligning one of the contenders in the race to replace the outgoing West Buganda Diocese Bishop Henry Katumba Tamale.

"He has been held in police cells beyond the mandatory 48 hours, which is a violation of his rights," said Farish Magembe, the president of GREMAJA. "His family has been disorganised with his wife going into hiding for fear of being arrested over charges police don't explain. We demand his unconditional release as police continue with their investigations because his continued detention is unconstitutional."

Jjumba was rearrested on Friday after he vowed to sue individual police detectives at Sembabule Police Station who confiscated his mobile phone last month.

The phone is being used as one of the exhibits in the ongoing investigations. Since Friday, Jjumba's relatives and children have been denied access to see him at Sembabule Police Station, which journalists say is a violation of his rights.

The controversy surrounding Jjumba's arrest is linked to a letter dated January 20, 2025, purportedly written by Naume Namakula, a resident of Lwemiyaga in Sembabule District.

The letter claims that Namakula had a child with a senior priest in the race for the next West Buganda Diocese Bishop, and the child died in 2016 due to the father's neglect.

However, preliminary police investigations reveal that Namakula denied writing the letter and does not know the priest being talked about. She also disowned the telephone number on the letter, which is registered in the name of John Mugume.

The Masaka Regional Criminal Investigations boss, Bosco Gume, has questioned the preliminary investigation report and directed detectives to conduct further inquiries. Gume wants detectives to recover the original letter, establish the chain of movement of the document, and obtain statements from the priest and other relevant individuals.

In a memo to detectives dated February 5, Gume instructed them to "recover the purported letter in its original form for inspection and subsequent examination at the Government Analytical Laboratory." He also directed them to "establish the chain of movement of the questioned document" and "obtain a statement from the said priest about the matter."

Gume further instructed detectives to "obtain details of the alleged child, including age, sex, place of birth, witnesses of the said birth, death, and burial, among others."

The selection process for the new bishop of West Buganda Diocese has been marred by controversy, with some faithful demanding a native bishop to replace Bishop Tamale. The Church's selection process is rigorous, and nominees must demonstrate exceptional leadership skills, spiritual guidance, and a deep understanding of the Church's teachings.

To become a bishop, a candidate must meet specific credentials, including being at least 45 years old, an ordained priest with 10 years of pastoral experience, and holding a bachelor's degree in Theology or Divinity.

The West Buganda Diocesan Nominations Committee has already selected two nominees, Canon Patrick Simbwa and Rev. Canon Gaster Nsereko, and forwarded their names to the House of Bishops, which is expected to select a suitable replacement for Bishop Tamale on February 16, 2025.

The selection process to get the new bishop for West Buganda Diocese has been marred by controversies, with a section of faithful reportedly demanding for a native bishop to replace Bishop Tamale.

All the six bishops that have superintended the 64-year-old diocese have been sourced from other dioceses, There are also reports that  Bishop Tamale is backing one of the contenders against the wish of a section of influential Anglican Christians in the diocese –a claim the prelate has repeatedly denied.
He has however been heard on several occasions saying a bishop can come from any part of the country or even abroad provided he has the qualities and qualifications needed.

To become a bishop, a candidate must meet specific credentials, including being at least 45 years old, an ordained priest with 10 years of pastoral experience, and holding a bachelor's degree in Theology or Divinity. The selection process is rigorous, and the nominees must demonstrate exceptional leadership skills, spiritual guidance, and a deep understanding of the Church's teachings.