Police in Rukungiri District have arrested a pastor of Kyarusongyera Anointed Church after he allegedly assaulted a church secretary during a disagreement over church money.
The suspect has been identified as Ayebare Felix, a pastor at Kyarusongyera Anointed Church in Bwanga Parish, Nyarushanje Sub-county, Rukungiri District.
According to police, the incident happened on August 30, 2026, at around 2:00pm at the church. The pastor is accused of assaulting Byomuhangi Joan, 34, who serves as the church secretary and is a resident of Kyarusongyera, Bwanga Parish.
Police said the incident reportedly happened shortly after church members had contributed money, which had been placed in an offering basket. The money had not yet been counted when the pastor allegedly grabbed it.
In the process, the pastor is alleged to have hit and boxed Joan, who was reportedly trying to perform her duties as the church secretary.
Police further allege that the pastor grabbed Joan’s mobile phone and threw it to the ground, causing cracks on both the front and back of the device.
The incident is also said to have followed earlier disagreements between the pastor and the church secretary. According to police, Ayebare had previously accused Joan of preventing him from enjoying church money and had allegedly threatened her..
Police have since confirmed the arrest of the pastor as investigations into the allegations continue.
The Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson, SP Nelson Tumushime, cautioned religious leaders against using their positions to engage in criminal activities.
“We caution all religious leaders to operate within the law,” police said, stressing that freedom of worship does not give anyone the right to commit offences such as assault, fraud or extortion.
Police also warned that religious leaders found engaging in criminal activities will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of Uganda.
The case remains under investigation, and the suspect will be dealt with through the legal process.
