Last Updated on: 20th April 2023, 04:04 pm
Oyam, April 20, 2023: Police in Oyam district are investigating two suspects accused of breaking into a Church and doing away with several ecclesiastical items.
The two suspects have been identified as KK Deng and Catherine Auma who both illegally secured access to St Mary’s main chapel Anyeke in Oyam town council.
Both are residents of Alutkot cell in Oyam town council, according to Police. They were picked up following a complaint from the Church management about the disappearance of Church property.
It is alleged that Deng and his unknown colleagues broke into the Church on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, and made away with items meant for supporting the poor during Easter.
The Oyam District Police Commander, Innocent Mubangizi said in a brief statement that the suspects will be charged with burglary and theft.
He added that they (suspects) will soon be produced in Court once investigations are complete.
Father Moses Pascol Omara (care-taker) of Anyeke sub-parish narrated that the suspects went away with table salt, laundry soap, maize grains, and beans, among other items that the Christians of St. Mary’s chapel had collected to donate to the needy.
According to the Father, it is a practice that Church members always carry out during Easter Sunday each year.
Father Omara also said the items were later found at different shops upon intelligence from the locals.
Geoffrey Olir, the LC1 chairman of Alutkot cell confirmed that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday evening by local leaders following a tip-off and later handed over to police at Oyam Central Police Station.
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Jimmy Anna Odoc, the Catechist of the Church believes that the recovery of the stolen items was possible with God’s intervention and collective teamwork from community members, bodaboda cyclists and the Police of Oyam.
By Wednesday evening, Oyam Police was still recovering part of the stolen items from shops where the suspect allegedly sold them at cheaper prices.
By Nancy Atim, our correspondent based in Lira City