KAMPALA – Opposition leaders Kizza Besigye and Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, have joined Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago to condemn the demolition of St. Peter’s Church in Ndeeba, Lubaga Division.
According to Bobi Wine, the demolition under the watch of police and approval by court is a demonstration that “our country is being ruled by an evil and insensitive lot of people.”
“They are insensitive and callous. They have allowed mafia gangs to wreak havoc everywhere, and now they have reached the House of God. We have consistently told the nation that as long as there is this breakdown of the rule of law, everyone will suffer. They have refused people to converge for prayers and now this is what is happening,” Bobi Wine said in a statement.
On his part, Dr Besigye said: “The Church went down under the heavy guard of the Uganda Police Force and other Security personnel during curfew hours, when people were confined to their homes. There’s an incorruptible Judge above all our judges and powerful leaders. The case of this vandalism will certainly be heard and justice dispensed.”
“Meantime, ARTICLE 3 of Uganda’s Constitution imposes a duty on all Ugandans to do everything in our power to end abuse of power and impunity in Uganda,” he added.
Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago had earlier described the demolition of St. Peter’s Church as scandalous and brazen act of criminality which should invite the ire of any reasonable person with a human heart.
“The Church was, however, maliciously and callously brought down deep in the night by some court bailiffs and hoodlums who were heavily protected by different security personnel. [I] was equally shocked to find the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Kampala Faridah Mayanja, who is ostensibly in charge of security in the city, helplessly shedding tears by the debris,” the Lord Mayor said.
Katwe Police Division Commander Epedu David, OC Station Ndeeba Police Station Mugira Yeko Kato and Field Force Unit (FFU) Commander KMP/South Region Isabirye Kaloli have been arrested following the demolition.
Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, said that the trio will be charged with neglect of duty.
He revealed that other 11 suspects were also arrested on charges of malicious damage to properties.
“The suspects are Kawooya Mohammad, Bbosa Muniru, Kiberu Amza, Mutebi Abbasi, Bulega Ali, Matovu Simon, Kalika Ali, Mujuzi Andrew, Ssekito Badru, Isirinya John and Maruti Bashir,” he said.
