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Archbishop Ntagali survives Mukono mob
Mukono RDC Maj David Matovu, Archibishop Ntagali and Mukono Distrcit Police Commander Fred Ahimbisibwe at the scene. Photo by Jessica Sabano
Mukono- The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Rev. Stanley Ntagali and 38 bishops of the same church survived being lynched by a mob while touring a disputed piece of land in Mukono District.
The group that included Uganda Christian University Vice Chancellor Dr John Ssenyonyi had on Tuesday gone to visit a one square mile piece of land that belongs to Church of Uganda.
The land in question is currently being developed by Uganda Christian University, an institution of the church.
Hardly had the tour ended than a group of people who were meeting at a nearby bar approached the bishops hurling insults at the priests while threatening to kill them.
The mob brought match boxes and dry grass and tried to set the university’s bus which had transported the bishops to the site on fire.
Mukono Diocese Bishop James William Ssebaggala called police which rushed to the scene and dispersed the mob.
One member of the mob was arrested.
Dr Ssenyonyi said the land was donated to the Church of Uganda by the late Ham Mukasa in 1921 which later donated it to Bishop Tucker Theological College. Bishop Tucker was later renamed Uganda Christian University.
He said that some people who had occupied the land were compensated but others have adamantly ignored the law and continued to build houses on the land.
The land is currently occupied by over 800 people.
“This land is supposed to be used for research by the university,” Dr Ssenyonyi said.
He said the university posses a land title for the land which was processed in 1940.
“This is not the first time residents are attacking us. The last time we came here, they damaged one of our vehicles,” Dr Ssenyonyi said.
Archbishop Ntagali said he had forgiven the people who threatened the bishops’ lives adding that if they have grievances against the university, they have to follow the law.
“This land belongs to UCU and these residents are encroaching on it,” he said.
Mukono District Police Commander Fred Ahimbisibwe apologised to the bishops for failing to provide security since he had received a letter about the visit.
