Bishop in shock as minister allegedly beats up and wounds churchmen

Soroti, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  The Bishop of Soroti Diocese, Rt. Rev. Kosea Odongo has expressed shock at reports that the Minister of  Disaster Preparedness beat up, and wounded the clergy in the area. The injured churchmen are undergoing medical treatment.

It is reported that State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Musa Ecweru, assisted by his bodyguard, identified as Juma Odiope, assaulted the three clergymen on Saturday afternoon, accusing them of encroaching on his land located at Wera Town Council. 

The beaten churchmen are Rev. Simon Peter Olato, the Parish Priest of Wera Church of Uganda and his two lay readers, Benjamin Otasono and Simon Peter Eriku of Aten and St. John churches respectively.

The churchmen, currently nursing wounds at St. Peter’s Medical Centre in Soroti City, were found planting cassava and tree seedlings in the land belonging to St. John CoU in Wera. The inputs belong to Operation Wealth Creation- OWC which is partnering with Soroti Diocese.

It’s alleged that the minister, who was within the area (his constituency) was passing by when he saw the clergy and the confirmation candidates working in the garden. According to Rev. Olato, the minister stopped and came to the garden where he started asking questions about the land. He notes that before any responses were given, the minister and his bodyguard started beating them up, something that scared away confirmands.

Rev. Olato explains that the minister, personally beat him and slapped the two lay readers before ordering his bodyguard Juma Odiope, to proceed and beat them with a metallic rod.

Bishop Odongo, in a press briefing over the matter on Monday afternoon, said that the minister’s actions are barbaric and very unfortunate for a leader of his calibre. He said that the nation shouldn’t trust such leaders with responsibility and appealed to President Museveni to intervene in the matter.

Bishop Odongo also noted that the minister’s conduct has recently raised a lot of concern from members of the public including the church.

According to Rev. Olato, the Police in Wera Police Post declined to record the case and referred them to the Amuria Central Police Station. The officer in charge, only identified as Oyugi reportedly said the matter was beyond his jurisdiction.

When contacted, the acting Police Spokesman for East Kyoga, Oscar Ageca said that the officer was misguided by the complainants, prompting him to refer the case. He notes that the police preliminary findings indicate that the clergy attacked the minister when he attempted to inquire about the land.

After the churchmen had been beaten up, Ecweru’s young brother Robert Adiama, who is also the Resident City Commissioner of Soroti, offered to take the victims for treatment but the offer was turned down. Minister Ecweru declined to pick or return our calls when contacted. 

When called by our reporter, Ecweru’s bodyguard, Odiope promised to deliver the message to his boss for the comment but has since remained silent. Bishop Odongo said that they are still consulting on how to proceed with the matter.  

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