Michael Okurut, 39, has been detained by Uganda Police in Amuria District for assaulting Minister of State for Works and Transport, Hon Musa Ecweru.
Police has since opened up a file CRB 42/2022 to investigate violent proceedings that happened on Sunday as the Minister addressed the congregation at St Michael Catholic church in Wera Parish.
Eyewitnesses told Police investigators that Mr Okurut moved to the altar, knelt and received blessings like any other believer before he got up and slapped Mr Ecweru in the face.
Ecweru, the area Member of Parliament was addressing the constituents urging them to embrace government programs like the Parish Development Model.
“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. Michael Catholic church, an individual identified as Okurut Michael a male adult aged 39 years came before the altar like other congregants, knelt down got his blessings,” Police said in a statement.
“Afterwards he got up and surprisingly slapped the minister as he was giving his sermon. He was thereafter immediately subdued by the Minister’s bodyguards. No harm was occasioned on the Ministers person,” a statement further reads in part.
A case has been opened at Wera Police station where statements have been recorded and the suspect is detained as Inquiries and investigation into the matter are expedited.
This is not the first time the Minister is involved in scuffle in church.
Last year while serving as Minister of Disaster Preparedness, Ecweru beat up, and wounded the clergy whom he accused of encroaching on his land located at Wera Town Council.
He later reconciled with the clerics.
As to whether Okurut was avenging on the Minister, it remains unknown.
