Archbishop Kazimba condemns Ndeeba church demolition

Aug 11, 2020

Three Police officers are being charged with neglect of duty

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rev. Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba has condemned the demolition of St Peter's Church, Ndeeba.

Three Police officers and 11 other men were arrested over the demolition of the church based in Rubaga division, contrary to the government directive stopping evictions during the lockdown.

"On behalf of the House of Bishops and all Christians of the Church of Uganda, we express our sincere condolences to the Bishop and people of Namirembe Diocese, and especially those of St. Peter's Church, Ndeeba, on last night's destruction of their treasured building and House of Worship. We are grateful that our grandmother, who donated the land for the church, is not alive to see the destruction that has been done to the sacred place she gave as a gift to God.

This barbaric act of destruction is evil. If an action can't be done in broad daylight, then there is something deeply wrong; we have lost respect for God. This destruction of the House of God took place in the darkness of night during a curfew; and, the security forces, who are supposed to uphold the law and guard against destroyers, were allegedly complicit in the destruction of a House of God. Squatters have rights after being on land for 12 years, and yet St. Peter's Church has been on that land for 40 years. We call for a serious and impartial inquiry into this matter," Kazimba said.

The Police officers arrested are the DPC Katwe, SP David Epedu, OC Station Ndeeba Police Station, ASP Mugira Yeko Kato, and the Field Force Unit commander Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) South Region, ASP Isabirye Kaloli.

According to Patrick Onyango the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, they are being charged with neglect of duty and that the Police were not informed about the eviction and demolition as the practice is.

Other suspects arrested are Mohammad Kawooya, Minority Bbosa, Amza Kiberu, Abbasid Mutebi, Ali Bulega, Simon Matovu, Ali Kalika, Andrew Mujuzi, Barry Ssekito, John Isirinya, and Bashir Maruti.

Police also impounded two motor vehicles that were recovered from the scene and these are; a  white Toyota Canter registration number UAY 796N, which was loaded with metals, and a tractor/engineering plant excavator registration number UBG 682Q.

In the statement, Kazimba said the destruction of St Peter's Church will not deter the Church from preaching the gospel.

"We stand in solidarity with the Bishop, Namirembe Diocese, and especially the Christians of St Peter's Church. Especially during this time of a global pandemic, the church is needed now more than ever. We assure you of our prayers for a peaceful and just resolution to this tragic situation," he added.

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