{UAH} Catholic priest accused of child neglect

Pastor Richard Mukasa,

Is it common for pastors of the church to rape and impregnate
vulnerable young girls with impunity? Lawyers are not allowed to have
sexual relations with their clients, let alone rape them, and neither
are doctors. But pastors of the church seem to disobey this cardinal
rule of professional ethics.


George Okello


Catholic priest accused of child neglect

Ms Namuddu and her son, who appeared at the RDC's office in Masaka
Town last Thursday. PHOTO BY MARTINS E. SSEKWEYAMA.

By Martins E. Ssekweyama

Posted Wednesday, December 17 2014 at 02:00
In Summary

Refused. The priest, who impregnated Namuddu in 2001 has since refused
to look after their son.


MASAKA. A Catholic priest in Masaka Diocese has been accused of
neglecting a child he fathered.

Ms Betty Namuddu, 31, of Kasaali in Bukulula Sub-county, Kalungu
District reported the case to Masaka Resident District Commissioner
Linos Ngopek, saying the priest, who is attached to Buyoga Catholic
Parish in Masaka Diocese impregnated her but has since refused to
provide for their 13-year old son.
The priest, whose name has been left out for legal reasons allegedly,
impregnated Ms Namuddu in 2001 before she finished her secondary
education at Centenary High School in Masaka Municipality.
Ms Namuddu, who came with her son to the RDC's office last Thursday,
claimed the priest raped her at Bukulula Catholic Parish where she was
working then.
"The priest who would regularly demand for sex, one day asked me to
stay behind after he had sent all the other girls for assignments. He
invited me for tea but I suspect he had sedated it. Because after
taking it I became weak. He took me to his bedroom where he repeatedly
raped me," she told Mr Ngopek.
"I found it hard to continue working there. So I left the place but I
later realised I was pregnant. The doctor who examined me called the
priest, who came and paid the bill but asked me to keep quiet about
the matter."
"I delivered at Kitovu Hospital but the priest who had earlier told me
he would not be able to help me has since refused to look after our
son."
"I went to the police child protection unit but I was referred to the
probation office. However, at the probation office I was told the
Catholic Church is very powerful and difficult to prevail upon," she
said.
"I was advised to see Archbishop Cyprian Lwanga but I could not.
Fortunately I was able to see Cardinal Wamala. I explained my dilemma
and out of sympathy he gave me Shs60,000," she said.
Ms Namuddu told Daily Monitor that Cardinal Wamala gave her a letter
instructing the Bishop of Masaka to act on the matter decisively.
Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa and the then Vicar General Monsignor Joseph
Kato Ssempungu, according to Ms Namuddu prevailed upon the priest, who
promised to pay Shs500,000 every month as school fees and upkeep for
the boy. However, he has since refused to honour the agreement and has
never paid a coin.
Ms Namuddu, who had been teaching at a nursery school, lost her job on
grounds that she had no proper qualifications.
Masaka Diocesan spokesperson, Father Joseph Kasangaki told Daily
Monitor they are aware of the matter and are working on it.
However, we could not reach the priest as our calls to his known
telephone number were repeatedly switched off but Mr Ngompek, told
this newspaper he would cause a probe into the matter with a view of
prosecuting the priest.

Issues

Aware. Although Daily Monitor could not speak to the priest, the
Masaka Diocesan spokesperson, Father Joseph Kasangaki says they are
working on a way through which the priest would be forced to take
responsibilty of the boy and his mother.
The appeal. However Ms Namuddu, said whoever, is working on the matter
should solve it precisely since she has suffered looking after their
son with no defined means of income.

fmuzaale@ug.nationmedia.com

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