The police in Kampala have arrested three of their own over the demolition of St. Peter's Church of Uganda, Ndeeba which was brought down in the wee hours of Monday morning, disregarding government directives that stopped all evictions during this COVID19 period.
Patrick Onyango the KMP spokesperson says the Police Officers were supposed to provide security to Church properties but failed to do so.
Onyango identiies the officers as SP Epedu David the DPC Katwe, ASP Mugira Yeko Kato the OC Station Ndeeba Police Station, and Field Force Unit (FFU) Commander KMP/South Region, ASP Isabirye Kaloli.
The trio is being charged with neglect of duty.
Police also arrested 11 people who were found taking part in the demolition. The suspects are; Kawooya Mohammad, Bbosa Muniru, Kiberu Amza, Mutebi Abbasi, Bulega Ali, Matovu Simon ,Kalika Ali, Mujuzi Andrew, Ssekito Badru, Isirinya John and Maruti Bashir.
“Katwe Police Station got information of the demolition at 0100 hours and a team was dispatched to the scene. Police were not informed about the eviction and demolition as the practice is. The team found people demolishing the said church and arrested 11 suspects” Onyango says.
The suspects are currently detained at Katwe Police Station to help with investigations. They are charged with malicious damage to properties.
Police also impounded two motor vehicles that were recovered from the scene and these are Reg. No. UAY 796N canta white loaded with metals, UBG 682Q Tractor/ Engineering plant (excavator).
“We want to warn the general public who are planning to evict people during this period of COVID19 that they risk being arrested and charged in courts of law if they go ahead with their intentions” Onyango warned.