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Police probe Abim church altercation as priest, congregant file complaints
“While the Church does not condone violence or physical confrontation by any person,” it said, no individual has the right to forcefully take over proceedings or insist on addressing a congregation against the direction of the priest responsible for the service.
The Church said in a statement that the Abim District Police Commander, SP Olang Moses, had confirmed that police had recorded complaints from Rev. Canon Richard Ongom and Innocent Oyoo following the incident.
By: John Musenze, Journalist @New Vision
ABIM - Police in Abim are investigating a physical altercation involving a Church of Uganda priest and a congregant at All Saints Church in Abim after both parties filed complaints over the incident, the Church of Uganda has said.
The Church said in a statement that the Abim District Police Commander, SP Olang Moses, had confirmed that police had recorded complaints from Rev. Canon Richard Ongom and Innocent Oyoo following the incident.
Police have also recorded statements from the two men and some witnesses, issued Police Form 3 (PF3) to both parties and started investigations, according to the Church.
“No arrests have been made,” the Church said.
The incident occurred towards the end of a church service on September 27, 2026, during announcements, after Oyoo sought to make an announcement without informing the priest presiding over the service in advance, according to the police account cited by the Church.
“We are concerned by the incident and wish to assure the Church and the general public that the matter is being followed up through the appropriate Church structures. Relevant administrative and pastoral measures will be taken upon establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident,” Balaam Muheebwa, the acting provincial secretary of the Church of Uganda, said in an earlier statement.
“The circumstances surrounding the physical confrontation have not yet been established, with the Church saying it would allow police to investigate the incident,” he added.
The incident occurred towards the end of a church service on September 27, 2026, during announcements, after Oyoo sought to make an announcement without informing the priest presiding over the service in advance, according to the police account cited by the Church.
“We are concerned by the incident and wish to assure the Church and the general public that the matter is being followed up through the appropriate Church structures. Relevant administrative and pastoral measures will be taken upon establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident,” Balaam Muheebwa, the acting provincial secretary of the Church of Uganda, said in an earlier statement.
“The circumstances surrounding the physical confrontation have not yet been established, with the Church saying it would allow police to investigate the incident,” he added.
The Church of Uganda said its established liturgical procedures require the priest presiding over a service to be in charge of worship and other activities taking place during the service. It said anyone wishing to make an announcement during a service is expected to seek permission from the priest responsible for the service and respect the direction given.
The Church, however, said the clarification did not justify violence or physical confrontation.
“While the Church does not condone violence or physical confrontation by any person,” it said, no individual has the right to forcefully take over proceedings or insist on addressing a congregation against the direction of the priest responsible for the service.
The Church said police would establish the circumstances surrounding the altercation, while relevant Church authorities would separately handle any ecclesiastical and administrative matters arising from the incident.
It appealed to Christians and the wider public to remain calm as investigations continue and called for prayers over the situation.
The Church, however, said the clarification did not justify violence or physical confrontation.
“While the Church does not condone violence or physical confrontation by any person,” it said, no individual has the right to forcefully take over proceedings or insist on addressing a congregation against the direction of the priest responsible for the service.
The Church said police would establish the circumstances surrounding the altercation, while relevant Church authorities would separately handle any ecclesiastical and administrative matters arising from the incident.
It appealed to Christians and the wider public to remain calm as investigations continue and called for prayers over the situation.