Jinja District Police Commander Felix Mugizi says the priest was
arrested for the second time on Tuesday after he failed to resolve his
differences with the complainants, who are Christians he shepherds
Wednesday September 21 2016
JINJA. Police in Jinja are holding a Catholic priest at Busowa Parish Church in the neighbouring Bugiri District to help in investigations over questionable use of money pooled by members of the Kisakya Foundation he chairs.Jinja District Police Commander Felix Mugizi says the priest was arrested for the second time on Tuesday after he failed to resolve his differences with the complainants, who are Christians he shepherds.
He had been out on police bond, Mr Mugezi said, citing previous complaints by contributors that they were suddenly unable, for unexplained reasons, to borrow from the group’s collections.
The freeze in borrowing coincided with the priest’s acquisition of a new vehicle, raising suspicion that the savings could have been used for the purchase.
70-year-old Ruth Nakulate, a contributor to the scheme, said they were initially pleased when the man of collar mobilised them to begin saving because “we knew we were dealing with a God-fearing man”.
“Little did we know that our custodian was a wolf dressed in a sheep’s clothes. Each time we would ask for some money he would become rude and dismissive. There was a time I needed Shs60, 000 to help in burial arrangements of my son-in-law and he couldn’t give it to me,” she said.
Other members of the Kisakya Foundation have told that detectives that the priest suddenly became dodgy to them when they began asking for the accountability for their funds.
This is not the first time we are arresting [the priest]. He initially promised to sort this issue and we gave him a police bond so that he [could] fulfil his pledge. He didn’t,” DPC Muzige said.
The contributors are demanding for an unspecified amount of money from the priest --- for they say they have had no accountability since 2013. Each of the 85 members has been saving at least Shs20, 000 monthly over the last 3 years.
Police say they have preferred charges of obtaining money by false pretence against the priest whom we cannot name for legal reasons.
