Shock as Church Minister is shot dead

A trip to his garden to eke a living amid the biting Covid-19 lockdown turned tragic for a Church of Uganda (COU) minister when he was shot in the chest and killed instantly in Kasese district yesterday morning.

Ordinand Benon Musiimenta was carrying his wife, Allen, 33, on his motorcycle (UDP 756L), when soldiers on patrol allegedly stopped the couple. A family source said the deceased, attached to Kogere Parish of South Rwenzori Diocese, stopped when the soldiers ordered him, but a soldier shot him at close range, killing him instantly.

The Kogere COU head of laity, Enos Mutanywaka, said Musiimenta was going to his garden in Kanamba via Hima when they were intercepted.

In the 6:00am incident, his wife sustained minor injuries when they fell onto the tarmac between Mubuku trading centre and Hima town council.

In keeping with the lockdown that was put in place to control the spread of the coronavirus (COVID -19), bodabodas remain barred from transporting passengers. They are only allowed to carry luggage and merchandise.

However, the spokesperson of the Rwenzori Mountain Army Division 222, Edwin Mawanda, said the "unfortunate incident" was accidental, explaining that Musiimenta was a victim of a mistaken identify.

"At that time, the soldiers were chasing thieves who had stolen from a nearby community. "At around 6:00am, Musiimenta Benon, 49, a resident of Kibuga parish, Karusandara sub-county, Kasese district, was hit by a stray bullet from our 6th Battalion patrol in Kikura cell, Karungibati parish, Hima town council," Mawanda said.

Mawanda said eight soldiers had been arrested and were in the army's custody pending further action.

Condemnation

The incident sparked a mixture of bitterness and grief among the people who gathered at the Kasese Municipal Health Centre III mortuary. Enid Biira of Kisanga cell in Kasese municipality called for justice for the deceased church leader.

"You cannot say you are saving me from the coronavirus but shoot me," she said. Constance Mbambu of Kikonzo, wondered how people will survive the coronavirus and errant soldiers.

Nelson Isebagheni, the vicar, said the Church had lost a diligent and potential officer who was headed for ordination later this year. The diocesan secretary, the Rev. Can. Josephat Bwalhuma, challenged the concerned authorities to carry out a thorough investigation.

The Archdeacon of Nyamwamba Archdeaconry, the Rev. Charles Habagatse, who was Musiimenta's neighbour, wondered why they did not arrest him if he had committed an offence.

Doreen Mbambu, the Karusandara woman representative on the district council, urged the Government  to come to the aid of the deceased's family.

Musimenta's brother-inlaw, Moses Akanyesigye, said Musiimenta is survived by seven children.