Police in Pallisa District have arrested a Pentecostal pastor and a church member following the death of a man they removed from medical care in an attempt to heal him through prayers.
The incident occurred on Sunday in Cheele Village, Oukoto Parish, Gogonyo Sub-County, when Sam Okoya, 36, developed severe stomach complications and symptoms consistent with malaria. Okoya had initially sought treatment at a nearby drug shop, where he was receiving medical attention.
However, John Okanya, the lead pastor of Agape Born Again Church, and Suzan Amoding Joyce, a church member, intervened, insisting on taking Okoya to their church for “miracle healing.” They removed him from the drug shop and brought him to the church, where they reportedly tied him with ropes and prayed for his recovery.
According to Moses Kityo Mwanga, the Bukedi North Region Police Commander, the prayer session continued until Okoya tragically passed away. Upon realizing he was dead, the suspects fled, abandoning his body inside the church.
Shocked locals alerted the police, prompting an immediate manhunt. Authorities apprehended Okanya and Amoding later the same day at their hideout. They are currently detained at Pallisa Central Police Station as investigations continue.
The body of the deceased was taken to Pallisa Hospital for a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
