EDITOR
Church and police are investigating circumstances under which a priest of the Ruhanga Parish Church of Uganda, Rev. Emmanuel Murinzi, assaulted his head of laity, Steven Muheirwe, during a finance meeting at the church.
The reverend allegedly descended on Muheirwe, who had accused him together with other church leaders of embezzling church money, and started beating him up before committee members separated them. The reverend accused him of inciting Christians against him, yet he knew how the money was being spent.
A church elder who was present during the fight, Mr. George Bashukwa, said the incident arose from a heated committee meeting on Monday where some members of the church committee demanded accountability and work plans for the projects.
The Itojo Archdeaconry Archdeacon, Rev. Can. Ronald Kakye, who is the supervisor of the parish, confirmed the incident, however, saying the case was a disagreement on management. He noted that police had taken over investigations but the church would also make further investigations.
While police denied commenting on the incident, police officers investigating the case, who spoke to us on condition of anonymity, said the reverend and the head of laity were being mediated for reconciliation to avoid escalating the incident to church authorities.
