Bishop blasts Police for using force against civilians

West Buganda Diocese Caretaker Bishop Rt. Rev. Jackson Matovu has strongly condemned the police's persistent use of force against civilians.  

Matovu was addressing a congregation at Kasambya Church of Uganda in Lyantonde. 

He said that while religious and other faith based leaders are praying for peace and freedom in Uganda, police has consistently brutalised civilians and deprived them of their freedoms of expression even during peaceful protests. 

He further added that different people have been killed, injured and wrongly imprisoned during scuffles between armed police and civilian. 

"People are being punched, kicked and flogged by police officers even during peaceful demonstrations. Such brutal actions may lead to unrest. IGP Kale Kayihura should weigh options on when police should use force against civilians." he said. 

He also appealed to the public to desist from provoking police and to engage in practices that distabilise other people's peace. 

Matovu added that for Uganda to be peaceful, everyone must respect each other's values in order to leave in harmony. 

He appealed to Christian followers to abstain from such bad practices as theft, adultery, hypocrisy, witchcraft and others which he said have crippled God's ministry. 

Rev. Cranimar Ssempebwa, who heads the Kasambya parish, thanked the people of Lyantonde for building a new church adding that they need more than sh200m to complete the church. 

Sh700,000 was raised towards building the church.