Police in Fort Portal City have arrested eight more suspects in connection with the recent break-in and theft at St. Adolf Mukasa Ludigo Catholic Church bringing the total number of arrests in the case to nine. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday at the church, which is located in Binanata B Cell, Kitumba Ward, Fort Portal Central Division, where thieves broke into the church and took off with several valuables.
Vincent Twesige the Rwenzori West Region Police spokesman told Uganda Radio Network on Thursday that the arrests followed ongoing investigations into the incident. Twesige identified the suspects as Dan Muhumuza, Vincent Kirungi, Charles Tusingwire, Charles Odungu Maine, Sam Tusingwire, Lilian Tuhaise, Edward Guma, and Patrick Ssanyu, the church security guard. The others are; Sam Tusingwire, Lilian Tuhaise and Edward Guma.
Police had earlier arrested Jackson Mucunguzi on the day of the break-in. He said police have since recovered most of the stolen property, including microphones, mixers, amplifiers, speakers, and keyboards that were taken from the church.
According to police, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are part of a criminal network that has been involved in a series of thefts in the area, targeting livestock, poultry, and other household property. Twesige revealed that the case file has since been forwarded to the Office of the State Attorney for legal guidance as police prepare to formally charge the suspects.
Twesige urged places of worship to strengthen security measures by installing surveillance cameras, improving lighting, and ensuring that they deploy more than one security guard especially during the night. Fr. Moses Mutangirizi, Parish Priest of Bukwali under which Kitumba Catholic Church falls, said he was informed of the break-in on Monday morning and rushed to the scene.
According to Fr. Mutangirizi, the attackers gained entry by breaking the church’s main door before stealing the public address system machines and an unspecified amount of money collected from the Sunday offertory and donations meant for the needy.
The thieves also vandalized the tabernacle and took an altar carpet. He noted that an old piano keyboard and the carpet were later recovered outside the church compound. Fr. Mutangirizi condemned the attack, describing it as a sacrilegious act against a place of worship and calling on members of the community to respect religious institutions.
Robert Businge, a resident of Kitumba, said the church break-in shocked many people because places of worship are traditionally regarded as sacred and respected spaces. He noted that theft cases have become increasingly common in the area, with criminals targeting livestock, poultry, jerry cans, saucepans, and other household items.
Businge said residents have since organized community patrols to bost neighborhood security and help curb the growing crime in the area-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
