POLICE | TORTURE | BISHOP KIBUUKA

KAMPALA - The Police in Kampala say they have charged the founder of Mamre Prayer Center, Bishop Jacinto Kibuuka, with aggravated torture of a 14-year-old boy.

Kibuuka, founder of the church located in Namugongo, is alleged to have tortured Denis Othieno, a pupil of Christ the King Junior School, Namungoona.

A statement released Thursday (August 25) by Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, indicated that the victim had gone to Mamre Prayer Center with his mother, Juliet Kemigisha.

Kemigisha works as a cleaner at the centre and had reportedly left his son behind to run an errand in town.

It is alleged that the Bishop suspected the boy of stealing sh10,000 from him.

“Instead of referring the matter to the Police, he started beating and kicking the victim. He then dragged him into his car and continued beating him as they drove to the mother’s home at Namugongo-Janda in Kira Municipality, to recover the money,” the statement said.

Police revealed that it took the intervention of Kemigisha’s landlady, who rescued the victim and rushed him to Nuwa Hospital, Nabusugwe-Mukono, where he was admitted.

“The victim is recovering from the injuries which were classified as grievous in nature,” the statement added.

Upon receiving the complaint, Owoyesigyire said Police at Kira instituted inquiries and obtained ‘clear accounts of the incident, with relevant witness’s statements’.

He added that they retrieved medical documents and reconstructed the scene at Mamre Prayer Center.

“The Bishop also recorded a statement and was released on bond. It was, however, cancelled on August 24, 2022, after charges of Aggravated Torture were sanctioned against him. He was caused to appear in court at Kira on August 25.

“We do strongly condemn all acts of torture, harassment and intimidation, more so by church leaders against vulnerable persons,” he said.