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WAKISO - Police in Kasangati town council in Wakiso district are holding a woman accused of stabbing a pastor to death over a land dispute.

Omara was a pastor of Pure Heart Miracle Centre International Church and was an immediate neighbour to Nekesa in Kyankima village, Kasangati. The church is all constructed with corrugated iron sheets. 

Police say the tragic incident happened at about 8:00pm on Thursday when Nekesa picked up a fight with Omara who tried to remove Iron sheets, which Nakesa had used to block the path leading to Omara’s home.

Kampala Metropolitan deputy Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said Bushirah Nekesa is under investigation after allegedly stabbing Pastor Julius Omara Nyerere with a sharp knife because of a land dispute.

LC1 speaks out

According to LC1 chairperson Edward Muyanga, Nekesa is married to Fred Kakooza, a boda rider and has lived in the area for five months, while Omara had been a resident for over six years.

Muyanga added that earlier, Nekesa complained of loud noise from the church. Issues were resolved at Kasangati Police Station and the pastor was cautioned to turn off the microphone by 10:00pm.

Again, on Thursday, Nekesa reported to the LC1's office accusing the pastor of extending his church a few feet into her land.

“We reached the land in dispute and resolved it by having a meeting on Sunday. Each of them was supposed to come along with land documents then we take clear measurements, that could give us final discussion,” Muyanga said.

Prossy Mirembe, the wife to Pastor Omara seated on the chair mourning for the husband. (All Photos by Sarah Zawedde)

Muyanga added that at about 8:00pm, he received a call from the residents reporting Omara’s death. 

They alleged that he had been stabbed by Nekesa, who later fled the scene. 

"Later I found out that she had already reported herself to Police in Kasangati and was arrested," he said.

Widow's account

Prossy Mirembe, the widow, said as she was returning from work, she met Nekesa fighting with her husband. 

"We managed to separate the two, but pastor was losing a lot of blood," Mirembe said.

Efforts to save the pastor's life at the hospital proved futile as doctors at Peoples Medical Centre, Gayaza said he had already died.

Peter Opedum, the assistant pastor, said the body was taken to the mortuary and burial arrangements are ongoing. He added that the body will be taken to Nagongera in Tororo district where he will be buried.