Pastor’s bodyguard opens fire
Police in Kajjansi have launched investigations into circumstances under which a born-again Pastor and his bodyguard opened fire on a suspected kidnapper while in pursuit of his missing daughter.
Pastor Umar Mulinde of Gospel Life Church International was reportedly chasing after a vehicle Spacio UAV 202W, suspected to have been carrying seven-year-old Yayeli Mulungi, when the shootout happened in Bwebajja opposite a fuel station.
It is alleged that the suspected car entered Mulinde’s home in Kawuku moments before he realized his daughter was missing, upon which he sounded an alarm attracting his bodyguard, Police Constable (PC) Patrick Ogwang.
Pastor Mulinde has accused his sister-in-law identified as Julie Mukula, of being the mastermind behind the kidnap. The Pastor alleges that his wife, who he separated from and lives in the USA, has a sinister motive with her sister to take away the couple’s children from his custody.
ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Spokesperson, says PC Ogwang immediately jumped into a vehicle with Mulinde in pursuit of the alleged kidnapper.
Owoyesigyire says the duo later intercepted the vehicle belonging to the alleged kidnapper after PC Ogwang shot at its tyres. He adds that upon inspecting the car, the alleged kidnapped child wasn’t found inside.
“The area police responded and it has since been established that the alleged kidnapper is a sister-in-law to Pastor Mulinde, Mukula, a resident of Lweza. She alleges that she is known to the pastor and she has been visiting their home very often,” Owoyesigyire says.
Owoyesigyire explains that during interrogation, Mukula told the police that she was notified by Mulinde’s eldest child that two of her siblings were sick at home. Mukula says she visited the home and took them to hospital for treatment, an action the pastor thought was a kidnap and a pursuit.
Pastor’s bodyguard opens fire
Owoyesigyire says no one was injured in the incident but the gun used in the shooting has been taken in as exhibit.
He says police have impounded the vehicle at Kajjansi Central Police Station as investigations into the incident continue.
Compiled by Minah Nalule
