In recent times, Luuka district in Busoga North has witnessed a concerning rise in the burning of shrines and churches, prompting security authorities to take decisive action to curb this disturbing trend. A total of fourteen shrines and two churches have fallen victim to these mysterious acts of arson, primarily occurring under the cover of darkness.
Faced with this wave of destruction, the regional security apparatus, including the Busoga North RPC, Regional CID, DPC, RDC, and the chairman of LC V, convened a high-stakes meeting. Attendees included leaders from both the traditional healing and pastoral communities, with the aim of fostering collaboration to bring an end to the spate of burnings.
One individual who found himself at the center of accusations is Pastor Kyangada Mark Paul from Buwaiswa. Witches in the region pointed fingers at him, alleging that he had openly declared that God would set ablaze the shrines in Luuka. In a curious turn, pastors, in turn, accused witch doctors of burning their churches. The intricate web of accusations prompted a call for unity and restraint during the investigation.
RPC SSP Mbabazi Martin Kitikyamwogo, speaking at the meeting, urged both traditional healers and pastors to carry out their respective roles without making unsubstantiated statements. He emphasized the need for thorough police investigations and assured that the law would be applied impartially to anyone found guilty of burning a shrine or church.
Simon Wakaze, the LC V Chairman of Luuka District, commended the joint efforts of the security teams from Busoga Region and Luuka district. He called for solidarity among traditional healers and pastors, urging them to work together to combat poverty in the community.
However, Pastor Kyangada Mark Paul vehemently denied the allegations leveled against him, asserting that they were baseless attempts to tarnish his reputation.
Among the shrines that fell victim to these destructive acts was that of Mutono Tom Kugeta. Pastor Zakaria Serwada acknowledged that while incidents of burning shrines and churches have occurred in Uganda before, it remains crucial for the police to conduct a thorough investigation. He emphasized the importance of waiting for the official report to uncover the true causes behind these acts of destruction.
Luuka security chairman RDC Katende Ronald outlined key agreements reached during the meeting. Among them was a call for witches and pastors to foster mutual understanding, work collaboratively to combat crime, and allow the police to conduct their investigations without interference.
As Luuka district grapples with this unsettling trend, the community, religious leaders, and law enforcement remain committed to finding a resolution and restoring a sense of security and unity to the region.
