By Ritah Ainembabazi
The Security Inter-Agency Joint Task Force has on 29 March 2020 arrested two pastors and 26 of their congregation for defying the Presidential Directive banning religious gatherings in the country for 32 days as a measure of curbing the spread of COVID 19.
The suspects were picked from two places in Kampala Metropolitan Area while congregated for Sunday Prayers, an act that can promote the spread of the Corona Virus in the Country.
Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson Patrick Onyango says one Pastor Immaculate Biyinzika of Praise Jesus Worship Church together with 20 worshipers were picked by Police from Makandwa Kajjansi in Wakiso District and are detained at Kajjansi Police Station .
Pastor Moses Baker of Alter Truth Ministries of Komamboga Kyanja was also picked along with six followers by Intelligence Surveillance Team and detained at Kira Road Police Station. “Other suspects escaped arrest.” Onyango says
The police mouthpiece notes that pastor Biyinzika tried to resist arrest on defence that she was praying with only her family members at her home which is collocated with the Church.
However, Police found the Pastor collecting offertory and her congregation was far bigger than her residence could accommodate.
According to Onyango, the Joint Task Force is dedicated to the protection of and service to Ugandans.
“The Task Force appeals to all Ugandans to join the national struggle to defeat COVID 19 pandemic in the country by following the preventive guideline issued by Government” he says
