BUYENDE | THE EYE MEDIA | August 3, 2025 – Police in Buyende District are holding a Catholic priest in connection with the suspected murder of a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly assaulted and illegally detained overnight at a parish store.
The suspect, Rev. Fr. Owori Silver Osuna, a cleric at Wesunire Parish in Buyende District, is being held alongside his driver, Gabula Robert. They are accused of involvement in the death of Joseph Kirya, a resident of Wesunire, Makanga Ward, Buyende Town Council.
According to police, initial findings indicate that the deceased was suspected of stealing UGX 5 million from the priest’s room while the latter was away. On returning and not finding his money, Fr. Owori allegedly enlisted the help of Gabula and another man, Waiswa, to track down the boy.
The trio reportedly caught Kirya on Friday, August 1, 2025, at around 5:00 pm, took him to the church, and allegedly assaulted him before locking him inside the parish store overnight.
Shockingly, the following morning (Saturday, August 2, 2025), Fr. Owori went to police to report the alleged theft and requested officers to collect the boy from the church. However, when a responding officer arrived, a staff member directed him to the store — where he found Kirya’s lifeless body.
By that time, police say, the priest had fled. Detectives reinforced the first responders, examined the scene, and later handed over the body to relatives for burial.
Busoga North Police Regional Spokesperson ASP Michael Kasadha condemned the incident, describing it as a clear case of illegal detention and mob justice.
“While any individual can effect an arrest, the legal power to detain suspects after an arrest is limited to the police,” Kasadha stressed.
Investigations are ongoing as police piece together the full circumstances leading to the boy’s death.
