Man Slaps Minister Ecweru in Church

There was drama and unease at St. Micheal Catholic church in Wera Sub County, Amuria District on Sunday when a man walked to the altar and slapped the Minister of State for Works and Transport, Musa Ecweru.

According to a statement issued by ASP Oscar Ageca Gregg, the PRO East Kyoga, the man identified as Michael Okurut, 39, has been arrested and detained at Wera Police station pending investigating of a case of assault against Ecweru, who is also Amuria County MP. The case is registered under vide CRB 42/2022.

“Preliminary findings indicate that on the 26th day of June 2022 at around 11:30AM within Wera parish, Wera sub-county in Amuria district during Sunday service at St. Micheal Catholic church, an individual identified as Okurut Micheal a male adult aged 39 years came before the altar like other congregants, knelt down got his blessings. Afterwards he got up and surprisingly slapped the minister as he was giving his summon. He was thereafter immediately subdued by the Minister's bodyguards. No harm was occasioned on the Minister,” Ageca said in the statement.

The suspect according to police has already recorded his statement. This is not the first time Ecweru has been embroiled in duels with his constituents. In May last year, Ecweru came under fire from Church and the public for reportedly assaulting three clergymen, accusing them of encroaching on his land located at Wera Town Council.

His actions were widely condemned by the Church including the Bishop of Soroti Diocese, Rt. Rev. Kosea Odongo, prompting the minister to apologize. During his reign as Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Ecweru was popular for beating locals who did not conform with the moral demands of the society.