There are both moments of silence and murmurs among the Catholic faithful in Masaka diocese, over the continued incarceration of Reverend Father Deusdedit Ssekabira, who was “abducted” by state operatives.
It is now over two weeks since Fr Ssekabira, the Assistant Parish priest of Bumangi Parish in Kalangala district, was under unclear circumstances, picked up by the armed men who raided his offices in Katwe ward, Masaka City.
After over a week of unsuccessful search for his whereabouts by the Masaka Diocesan authorities and relatives, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) broke the silence when it acknowledged holding the priest in their custody, over violent subversive activities against the state.
According to the statement issued on December 13th by Colonel Chriss Magezi, the Acting Defense Spokesperson, Fr Ssekabira was under investigation and that he would be shortly be produced before courts of law for prosecution.
Despite the revelations of the army, which settled uncertainties about the priest’s whereabouts, the Catholic community is the Diocese is still in whispers on when he will be aligned before the court and before which judge.
Denis Bwanika, one of the close associates of the incarcerated Priest, says that they are still worried that the army may charge him before a military Court Martial, whose trial process are strange to many people.
“We heard the UPDF speak of subversive activities against the state, but the spokesperson remained cagey with the details of the offences our priest was allegedly involved in. We are still worried by his fate and we suspect that there is something hidden beyond what meets the eye and ear,” he says.
A day to the statement by the UPDF, Alexander Lule, a lawyer of Masaka diocese, had filed to the Masaka High court seeking orders for the immediate and unconditional release of the priest, but he is also concerned that the application is yet to be heard, yet the courts are headed for a long Christmas break.
Lule observes that Fr Ssekabira has been held far beyond the statutory time within a suspect can be kept in custody before they are presented before the court, but to their disappointment, the army has remained adamant to adhering to the constitutional dictates on the management of suspects.
He is also concerned that the army has failed to disclose to lawyers the detention facility where Fr Ssekabira has been held, and he has not been allowed access to lawyers, his family and medical personnel of his choice.
“Despite the frustrations, we are going to continue pursuing justice for the Priest because, as far as we know, he is innocent,” he noted.
This reporter has learnt that in the apparent state of uncertainty on the fate of Fr Ssekabira, some prominent circles within the Masaka Diocese’s high ranks are plotting a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni, to secure the release of the priest, who, according to him was framed over a protracted intra-family dispute.
The group, which is allegedly comprised of senior leaders of the NRM party, is planning to take advantage of Museveni’s campaign in the area, to secure an appointment with him to plead for Fr Ssekabira’s immediate release.
Last week, the Bishop of Masaka Dioces, Severus Jjumba directed all the clergy and faithful in the area to conduct special prayers to intercede for the arrested priest.
