POLICE | PASTOR KALIBBALA | TERRORISM 

MITYANA - Security, led by Police, have arrested a Mityana-based pastor, Samuel Kalibbala, who disappeared with 20 followers. 

The arrest brings to an end a 10-day manhunt for the pastor, who is alleged to have links to a cult with roots in Nigeria. 

Wamala region Police spokesperson Rachael Kawalla confirmed the arrest of Kalibbala. 

Police also rescued seven relatives from Sulait Kintu’s family, who had vanished with him. 

They include Jessica Namuwaya, a housewife, Shakim Ssekyewa, 19, Shifrah Nampeewo, 17, Muhammad Muteesasira, 10, Muhammad Ssenabulya, 8, Angel Nakintu, 4, and Mabel Uwuzeeye. 

By press time, a team of detectives were still grilling Kalibbala to explain his operations, including the alleged links to the Boko Haram extremists.

Boko Haram is a terrorist organisation, active in Chad, Niger and northern Cameroon. 

Until he went underground ten days ago together with his followers, Kalibbala, a former teacher at Businziggo Church of Uganda Primary School, allegedly tasked his wife, Florence Naluggwa, with recruiting children, who gathered in Mityana. 

Naluggwa, a teacher at Kalamba Primary School and Harriet Kajubi, a teacher at Land of Desire Nursery School, absconded from work since the schools reopening. 

They also refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the Police said. Police have since visited the schools and interviewed their colleagues. When New Vision visited the schools, a teacher, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Kalibbala was a staff member, but had not appeared at school for a long time. 

Preliminary investigations indicate that the couple (Kalibbala and Naluggwa) allegedly gathered children at their home for unclear reasons. According to Police, Kalibbala’s preaching whose roots are from Nigeria, is against education, immunisation and technology; some of the core principles of the Boko Haram. 

Simon Mulongo, a security pundit, said the Boko Haram believes immunisation is infused with negative elements.