A naughty LCI chairman of Kanyagoga B Sub –Ward in Gulu Municipality Raymond Watum has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for leading residents to burn down a Church.
Gulu Chief Magistrate Francis Dawa Matenga sentenced Watum to three years’ imprisonment for being ruthless and extreme. Two of his accomplices; Margret Alanyo and Francis Opiyo were also imprisoned for one year and seven months for the same offense.
Watum was convicted for instigating residents to torch down “Jesus is the Living Stone Church” in Gulu district.
Court heard that Watum assembled dozens of residents from within on January 27, 2019, and collectively, they scorched the church after raising suspicions that it was a cult.
The church was pastored by one Okumu Batiringeya. Okumu had earlier mentioned to the court that the act of burning down his church has caused him untold loss and distress.
The accused were also directed to construct a new Church and compensate the Pastor, Okumu,10 million Shillings for the loss he incurred.
Bardege Division Chairman Patrick Oola Lumumba protested the court decision saying the Church was misleading several locals in the wicked way it operated.
According to Section 327 (a) of the Penal Code Act, any person who willfully and unlawfully sets fire to any building or structure, whether completed or not, commits a felony and is liable to imprisonment for life.
