All will end says Pastor accused of fraud

"Everything has an end.  I was arrested but this will soon end," were the words from Pastor Sirajje Ssemanda, of the Revival Church, Bombo as he was being led from one court to another. 

Buganda Road court charged Ssemanda with 17 counts relating to defrauding pastors and followers of billions of shillings.

Ssemanda was Sunday, November 15 intercepted at Mutukula border as he tried to flee the country while being hunted by detectives from the State House Anticorruption unit in connection with a sh4.5bn fraud.

The pastors on Monday, November 16 told the Ministry of education and sports permanent secretary, Alex Kakooza that Ssemanda mobilized followers through their churches, promising them of bursaries.

 They said over 400 private schools from all regions in the country recruited children both at primary and secondary levels charging them a registration fee of sh25,000 but for a complete year he did not secure the bursaries.

Apostle Edward Masaba, the team leader and President of the Prosperous Pastors' Association, which was formed by Ssemanda who allegedly used the name of the President and other prominent people in government, convinced the pastors to mobilize massively and recruit children, which caused losses to the schools. 

He said, with him at the forefront of the program, they registered 10,351 pupils in nursery schools across the country, 60,152 in primary, 5211 babies to benefit under the early nutrition program, 40,261 in the secondary section, 15,037 in tertiary institutions and 10,045 at University level.

The Permanent Secretary extended his sympathies to the pastors and school directors but advised them to always contact the private schools department in the ministry of education for any matter relating to education.

The pastors were also addressed by the state minister for education, Dr JC Miyingo who assured the group that the government would handle the matter.