By Davis Mugabi
On 5th January 2023, a complaint was lodged at CID Headquarters in Kibuli by one Saulite Anda, a Latvian National residing at Lukulu Zone Makindye Division, Kampala district then.
She was invited to Uganda for a tour by Pr. Twahirwa Joseph Collins of the MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL located at Bugolobi, a posh city suburb.
Upon her arrival at his home in Bugolobi on the early morning of 12th December 2022, she alleges to have been raped and her money 400 Euros and 300 USD, Passport LV4336528 and Visa No. 251989399 confiscated by the Pastor.
The victim first recorded a case at Jinja Road Police station and a General Enquiry File (GEF) was opened up. The suspect was summoned and he was able to handover her travel documents and signed for Ugandan shillings which she could not understand.
A police statement issued this week shows that the complainant was tormented by Police Officers at Jinja Road who allegedly roughed her up and locked her in a cell and later made to sign an additional statement acknowledging receipt of the payment of all her money and withdrawal of the case against the Pastor.
Twahirwa has since been arrested, charged and remanded, thanks to the intervention of the CID.
Three officers have been arrested for acting unprofessionally and are to be charged with Irregular conduct, under Code 12, sec 44 of the Police Act. These include: 33200 D/Sgt Oyera Doreen, 37383 D/Cpl Akite Judith and 46633 D/Cpl Ailigat Joyce.
Well-placed sources say the officers acted expressly on orders of the Divisional Police Commander – Jinja Road – Henry Abaho.
Abaho and Twahirwa are very good friends, a knowledgeable source says and explains that “it is the reason they (Twahirwa and the DPC) were able to manipulate the situation at first until the matter was reported in the media.”
The victim/complainant has been transferred to a safe and convenient accommodation to ensure her safety, the Police say, while “Her travel has been extended at the cost of the state to allow thorough investigations.”
“We call on all those that may have similar complaints against the Pastor to report to CID Hqrs for further investigation. We thank the Media team that covered the story and pledge to work with them to ensure its conclusion to fair Justice. We take cases of SGBV seriously and pledge to professionally handle this and any other cases reported,” Deputy Police Spokesperson, ACP Claire Nabakka told the media early this week.
