Masaka priest arrested over murder
Dec 02, 2009
THE Police in Masaka district have arrested a Catholic priest in connection with the murder of a resident by a mob. Pascal Mutagubya, 17, a resident of Narozari village, was beaten and burnt after he was accused of stealing sh600,000 from Narozari Catholi
By Dismus Buregyeya
THE Police in Masaka district have arrested a Catholic priest in connection with the murder of a resident by a mob. Pascal Mutagubya, 17, a resident of Narozari village, was beaten and burnt after he was accused of stealing sh600,000 from Narozari Catholic parish on Monday.
The Police yesterday arrested Fr. Paul Kaberuka in Buwunga sub-county. Kaberuka joined the parish about three months ago.
Also arrested are Mutebi Bakka and Vincent Mbuga, both attached to the parish and the parish farm manager, Maria Rose Nakamatte.
The southern regional criminal investigation chief, Willy Panuha, said the suspects, still detained at Masaka Central Police Station, would face charges of murder.
Panuha added that the Police would also arrest the villagers who participated in the mob justice.
“I have issued directives that the suspects, especially Fr. Kaberuka, remain in custody. This is a murder case and priests are not above the law,†he said.
The deceased is said to have broken into Nakamatte’s office and stole sh600,000, which was proceeds from the parish poultry project.
Sources say the mob, led by the Fr. Kaberuka, pounced on the Mutagubya after his colleague, identified as Peter Makenke, who is on run, revealed that he was part of the deal. Mutagubya and Makenke were casual porters at the parish farm.
The locals say the suspects participated in the hunt and beating up of the deceased who was allegedly tortured from about 1:00pm to about 6:30pm.
By press time, Mutagubya’s body was still at Masaka Hospital awaiting a postmortem examination.
The management of Narozari parish have always complained about the theft of their food, poultry and properties another inside source said.
THE Police in Masaka district have arrested a Catholic priest in connection with the murder of a resident by a mob. Pascal Mutagubya, 17, a resident of Narozari village, was beaten and burnt after he was accused of stealing sh600,000 from Narozari Catholic parish on Monday.
The Police yesterday arrested Fr. Paul Kaberuka in Buwunga sub-county. Kaberuka joined the parish about three months ago.
Also arrested are Mutebi Bakka and Vincent Mbuga, both attached to the parish and the parish farm manager, Maria Rose Nakamatte.
The southern regional criminal investigation chief, Willy Panuha, said the suspects, still detained at Masaka Central Police Station, would face charges of murder.
Panuha added that the Police would also arrest the villagers who participated in the mob justice.
“I have issued directives that the suspects, especially Fr. Kaberuka, remain in custody. This is a murder case and priests are not above the law,†he said.
The deceased is said to have broken into Nakamatte’s office and stole sh600,000, which was proceeds from the parish poultry project.
Sources say the mob, led by the Fr. Kaberuka, pounced on the Mutagubya after his colleague, identified as Peter Makenke, who is on run, revealed that he was part of the deal. Mutagubya and Makenke were casual porters at the parish farm.
The locals say the suspects participated in the hunt and beating up of the deceased who was allegedly tortured from about 1:00pm to about 6:30pm.
By press time, Mutagubya’s body was still at Masaka Hospital awaiting a postmortem examination.
The management of Narozari parish have always complained about the theft of their food, poultry and properties another inside source said.