KCCA official, GISO remanded over Ndeeba church demolition

Two Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials and a Gombolola Internal Security Officer have been charged over the demolition of a church in Ndeeba, Kampala. This brings the number of people charged to 22.

Appearing before Makindye Court Chief Magistrate, Prossy Katushabe, on Thursday, Richard Naika, 42, a civil engineer and inspector of building in Lubaga division and Ali Mukwaya, a Muganada GISO pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiring with others to demolish the church.

The two were remanded to Kitalya Prison until Monday next week, when their bail application will be heard through video conferencing at Buganda Road Chief Magistrates' Court.

"I cannot hear the bail application now because of time," the magistrate said, despite pleas from the accused lawyers led by Isaac Walukagga.

Meanwhile, Ivan Katongole, 43, the KCCA Urban Planner, who allegedly signed the demolition order, did not appear in court.

Prosecution alleges the trio between March 2020 and August 10, 2020, conspired with senior police officers and Dodviko Mwajne, still at large to demolish St. Peter's Church Ndeeba, the property to Church of Uganda (CoU).  

Mwajne, who is alleged to have been in the fight for the land with the Church, is also being hunted by security officers after court issued criminal summons against him.

The officers include SSP Rashid Agero, 59, the Field Force Unit (FFU) commander Kampala Metropolitan area, SP Martin Odero, the FFU Kampala Metropolitan South zonal commander, SP David Epedu, 34, the Katwe Police Divisional commander and ASP Isabirye Kaloli, 33, attached to FFU, Katwe.

Others are ASP Mugira Yeko Kato, the OC Station Ndeeba Police Station, AIP Anthony Kiro and CPL Richard Kasule.

The Police officers are battling charges of theft, disobedience of lawful orders and malicious damage to property.

According to the Penal Code Act, the offences, on conviction, elicits a maximum jail sentence of two, seven and 10 years, respectively.

On Friday, last week, the police officers were remanded to Kitalya Prison alongside Ali Lubega, Badiru Ssekitto, Hamza Kiberu, Abas Mutebi, Ali Kalika, Simon Matovu, James Kisirinya, Bashir Muruti, Andrew Mujuzi, Munir Bbosa and Muhammad Kawooya.

The police officer are accused of disobeying orders issued by Commissioner of Police, Moses Kafeero to deploy police guards at the church to avert any possible demolition.

While the rest of the suspects are accused of using an excavator to break and damage the church in the midnight of August 10, 2020. They are also accused of stealing chairs, doors, and an assorted property of the church.

Arrest

The accused were arrested by police officers under the directive of the head of State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), Lt. Col. Edith Nakalema.

According to Nakalema, President Yoweri Museveni has directed all public officials involved or linked to the demolition of the church be prosecuted in the court of law.

Museveni to build new church

On Saturday, August 15, the President and Katikkiro of Buganda, Peter Mayiga, visited the scene. Museveni vowed to build a new church in the place.

"Even if the church is in the wrong, no one has the right to destroy it. It is a sin or a curse to destroy a church. We are going to deal with those who destroyed the church. I am going to build a new church in this place," the President said.