KAMPALA. Priests and Catholics in Masaka Diocese are in panic following the disappearance of Rev Fr Deus Ssekabira.
Rev Fr Ssekabira, the deputy parish priest of Bumanji Parish in Kalangala District reportedly went missing a couple of weeks ago after he was allegedly arrested by unknown people along Alex Ssebbowa Road in Masaka City.
Residents in the area say the manner in which the priest was taken has dehumanizing given his status in community.
Several tenants at the premises where the arrest allegedly took place were reportedly found with their doors still locked, suggesting a sudden and forceful operation.
Alex Ssenyondo, a brother to Fr Ssekabira, said those who took him appeared highly organised and deliberately concealed their identities.
“Those who arrested Fr Ssekabira came in about four vehicles, all with their number plates concealed. They were dressed in black, with their faces covered. The only thing that identified them as operatives were the guns they were brandishing ,” Ssenyondo said.
Another brother, Andrew Kabulassoke, said the priest runs an organisation that receives funding from abroad to support community-based projects, including schools, dismissing claims that the money was being used for illegal activities.
“It is true that our brother has been receiving money from outside the country to support projects such as running schools. However, he has never used that money to fund any illegal or harmful activities, as some people are now alleging ,lets hope this is not the reason he was forcefully arrested ” Kabulassoke said.
The family has appealed to the government and relevant authorities to intervene and help secure Fr. Ssekabira’s release, insisting that he is innocent.
“We appeal to everyone responsible to ensure the release of Fr Ssekabira because he is not a criminal,” he said.
Masaka Regional Police Spokesperson Twaha Kasirye said police were not involved in the alleged arrest and had not officially received any complaint regarding the priest’s disappearance.
“We have only heard about this issue through social media. It has not yet been formally reported at any police station,” Kasirye said.
He advised the family and relatives of Fr. Ssekabira to report the matter to the nearest police station and formally register a missing person’s case to allow investigations to commence.