Luweero Bishop to Museveni: Rampant Abductions Threatening Development Projects

Rt. Rev. Paul Ssemogerere, the Bishop of Kasana-Luweero Catholic Diocese has expressed concern about the rampant kidnaps and abductions in the country, saying they are impacting negatively on development programs.

According to Bishop Ssemogerere, people were gearing up for work after the conclusion of the general elections, but the ongoing kidnaps and abduction of youths is a huge cause of worry. He was speaking at Pope John Paul II Pastoral Center-PJPIIPC at Kasana-Luweero Diocesan headquarters on Wednesday while launching the Shillings 1.4Billion Global Climate Project.

There have been rampant cases of kidnaps and abductions by suspected security operative since the November 2020 nationwide riots that were triggered by the arrest of the National Unity Platform-NUP president, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine during his campaigns in Luuka district.  

Some of the abductees have shown up with serious injuries resulting from torture.  Last week, the Internal Affairs Minister, Gen. Jeje Odongo told parliament that at least 44 cases of kidnaps have been recorded across several police stations. 

Now, Bishop Ssemogerere has tasked the Luweero Resident District Commissioner, Rose Birungi to deliver a message to president, Yoweri Museveni that the tension resulting from the endless kidnaps and abductions are not healthy as they threaten development projects.  

Birungi told URN that there is no cause for alarm since they haven’t registered any cases of abduction and kidnap in Luweero. 

About the global climate project   According to Rev. Fr. Hilary Muheezangango, the Director of Caritas Kasanaensis, says the Shillings 1.4 billion project is bankrolled by the Food & Agricultural Organization [FAO] in partnership with the Global Environment Facility [GEF].

Fr. Muheezangango says they are to among other things, train 5000 farmers, establish 96 field schools and ensure that the already existing 88 schools are refurbished.   They also intend to establish watersheds, train 2400 youths in the production of fuel-saving stoves and growing 200 acres of fodder crops for hay during the dry season. 

Fr. Muheezangango says that the two-year project targets Luweero and Nakaseke districts. Luganda Audio

In Luweero, the project will be implemented in; Kamila, Kikyuusa and Butuntumula sub-counties while in Nakaseke it will be implemented in Wakyato, Ngoma, Kinoni  and Nakaseke sub counties, which fall in the cattle corridor.