Kampala Catholic Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere has called for three days of prayer and fasting as a form of reparation after unknown assailants attacked Nswanjere Junior Seminary in Muduma sub county, Mpigi District, before vandalising the tabernacle in the chapel and robbing various items and cash.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesman Luke Owoyesigyire, at around 3am on Monday morning, the assailants gained entrance into the seminary by cutting barbed wire fencing the school and proceeded to rob the school of various items including a TV, mobile phones, cash, a laptop, and vandalising the church Tabernacle .
Fr. Pius Male Ssentumbwe, the Chancellor of Kampala Archdiocese, said the three days of Reparation will begin on Tuesday, 21 March 2023 and end Thursday the 23rd of March 2023.
“During this cruel incidence, the tabernacle was unfortunately deconsecrated! Because of this act of violation, the Archbishop summons all the people of God into a Triduum of prayer for an act of Reparation,” Fr Ssentumbwe.
“Let us join together praying for healing, repentance and restitution of God’s Glory. On each of these days we are requested to set aside an hour for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,” he added.
The thugs also beat up and injured the priests, who are administrators of the seminary.
“During the robbery, Fr. Kyeyune Godfrey, the Vice Rector at, was beaten and injured on the left hand. Fr. Emmanuel Mukukule was also beaten and injured on the head and is currently admitted at Lubaga hospital. Rev. Fr. John Bosco Kigundu and Bro. John Bosco Mwasa were also robbed of cash and mobile phones,” Owoyesigyire said in a statement issued on Tuesday, 21 March 2023.
“The Wakiso Police team visited the scene to collect evidence. Statements were recorded from relevant witnesses and an exhibit of a grey bag containing coins amounting to four thousand shillings was been recovered a few meters from the scene,” he added.
Owoyesigyire said the suspects are still at large, and the police are currently conducting inquiries to apprehend them. “The Police assures the public that it will do everything within its power to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety and security of the residents in the area,” he said.
“We urge members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police promptly. Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects is encouraged to come forward and share it with the police,” he added.