Catholic Church, Bwende Reconcile

By James Mujuni President Yoweri Museveni has reconciled Major Jero Bwende and the Catholic Church in Mbarara who were recently involved in a land row. Bwende, on Thursday accepted to hand over the disputed land to the Christians free of charge. The Archdiocese of Mbarara had complained to Museveni and taken Bwende to court, accusing him of destroying a Church at Rushoga in Nyabushozi county in early January. Museveni intervened through his personal legal assistant, Fox Odoi. Bwende, who is attached to army headquarters in Bombo, appeared in court on February 27 charged with malicious destruction of Rushoga Catholic Church. The reconciliation ceremony at Rushoga was attended by Archbishop Paul Kamuza Bakyenga and the Mbarara acting RDC, John Karuhanga. Bwende and the Christians agreed and settled the matter out of court. Bakyenga told the Christians that Museveni had listened to their appeal and agreed to re-construct the Church. Construction has began and the building is at wall plate level. "I implore you to work closely with Bwende because being a big person in the area he will foster development," Bakyenga said. Bwende had allegedly ordered his workers to destroy the church because it was erected on his land. "I am a senior army officer so in future, remember to treat me with respect and I will reciprocate," Bwende said. He paid a fine of a he-goat to Bakyenga and donated two cows to Karuhanga. Ends