If there is anything that has humbled the self-proclaimed Bishop Jacinto Kibuuka is the law that has sent him behind bars over clobbering a 14-year-old boy. The renegade Bishop was arrested, charged, and remanded this week over the aggravated torture of Denis Othieno a pupil at Christ the King Junior School.
He was harvested by Kira police and subsequently arraigned in Kira’s chief magistrate’s court where he was read his offenses of aggravated torture. Kira police indicate that Kibuuka who broke away from the catholic church and started Evangelical Orthodox Church clobbered the victim on August 22.
Kibuuka pounced on the boy at his church located at Mamre prayer centre in Namugongo. It is alleged that Othieno was with his mother Juliet Kemigisha who works as a cleaner at the same premises.
Kemigisha left his son at the church but as soon as she left, Kibuuka tasked the boy to return his money worth Shillings 10000 claiming that he had stolen it. Police wonder why Kibuuka did not report the theft cases to the police but chose to carry the law into his hands.
“The mother left him behind and went to town. It was during her absence that the Bishop called the victim and started demanding his money, Ugx. 10,000 which was allegedly stolen by him. Instead of referring the matter to the police, he started beating and kicking the 14-year-old victim,” particular of the case filed compiled by police read in part.
The suspect, according to police, dragged Othieno 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.
Kibuuka could have been killed if it was the intervention of the landlady, who rescued the victim and rushed him to Nuwa Hospital, Nabusugwe-Mukono, where he was admitted. Othieno is currently recovering from the injuries which were classified as Grievous in nature.
Senior Commissioner of Police -SCP Fred Enanga, said police at Kira upon receiving the complaint, instituted inquiries and obtained very clear accounts of the incident, with relevant witness statements.
Detectives retrieved medical documents and reconstructed the scene at Mamre Prayer Center. Kibuuka was summoned and he recorded a statement and was released on bond. “It was, however, cancelled on 24.08.2022, after charges of Aggravated Torture were sanctioned against him. He was caused to appear in court at Kira on 25.08.2022,” Enanga explained.
Police have condemned all acts of torture, harassment, and intimidation, more by church leaders against vulnerable persons. Kibuuka has been reminded that part of the mission of the church, is to defend the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable persons and further promote commitment to compassion and justice. Kibuuka’s acts are contrary to the values of the church and are not justified under whichever situations.