The parish priest of Wesunile Catholic Parish in Buyende district, eastern Uganda, has been arrested for his alleged role in the torture and death of a 14-year-old boy, Joseph Kiirya.
The suspect, Rev. Fr. Silver Osuna Owori, 33, was apprehended alongside his driver, Robert Gabula, and both are now detained at Buyende central police station. Police say they will face court once investigations are concluded.
Preliminary police investigations indicate that on Friday, August 1, 2025, Fr. Owori discovered that Shs 5 million was missing from his residence. Believing that Kiirya, who had previously been accused of stealing from the priest, was responsible, he reportedly instructed Gabula and another accomplice, only identified as Waiswa, to track down the boy, who had gone into hiding.
The two men reportedly apprehended Kiirya and delivered him to the parish premises. According to investigators, Owori allegedly ordered the boy to be beaten in a bid to force a confession. Despite the assault, Kiirya insisted he knew nothing about the missing money.
The teenager was later locked inside the parish store, where his condition deteriorated. When he became unresponsive, Fr Owori called the police, claiming that his team had apprehended a suspected juvenile thief.
Responding officers, however, found the boy dead, with evidence of severe physical abuse. By the time they arrived, the priest had fled the scene. Local residents said they last saw Kiirya alive while being escorted to the parish by the priest’s aides.
“Access to the parish during weekdays is limited, so no one knew what was happening inside,” one villager said. “It was only after the police briefed us that we learned the boy had been tortured there.”
A postmortem report confirmed that Kiirya sustained deep wounds and multiple injuries across his body. Busoga North Police spokesperson Michael Kasadha said the boy bled to death due to a lack of timely medical care.
Gabula voluntarily surrendered to police officers who went to Wesunile Parish, while Owori was later arrested from a location in the Busoga sub-region. Kasadha stated that police are still compiling evidence and will submit their findings to the resident state attorney for guidance on the charges, which could include murder or aggravated torture of a minor.
What a scandal to the Catholic Church! But why would a priest keep Shs.5 million in Cash, in his residence?
These priests run businesses just like you and I.
Poor Innocent boy… Joseph in Genesis 37 & 39 was betrayed, sold by his brothers, later accused by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison, he survived! This Joseph has died at the hands of a Priest and Gabula rituals murderer. As a young man who grew up on that area/land, that was partly donated by my grandfather, I’m very sad to hear how this innocent boy’s life ended. My guts tells me a14 year old boy can’t steal 5 Million especially in that part the country. What would he do with it? Where would he take it? The priest should have asked for discernment and wisdom. There’s more to the story. As Pope Leo was celebrating Youth Jubilee this weekend, an innocent forgotten boy’s life is taken by a priest who should been promoting Youth involvement in his Church. What a shame!
I think the priest is “innocent” he should tell police that those were demons. Haven’t they heard about the man who Jesus exorcised demons out of and they went into pigs ?
He had scars all over his body…
Those might have been demons…
But on a serious not …”turn the other cheek…, …a rich man going to heaven…, vow of poverty…
Did he forget about his vow of poverty ?
Hiccup
That land has history of conflict, jealous and witchcraft. Even some family members had to move away. I/we have been praying and fasting for that area/land for many years now. The only solution is to find a family member who is filled with Christ spirit, faithful, honest and let him/her pray over that land. Grandy who was once catholic at first was thrown off the bus after he converted to Islam….because he struggled with drinking& evil spirits. Most people involved are greedy, self seeking of wealth, power and fame. My advice is, it won’t work as some of family members are now converted believers that are interceding day and night for their loved ones, even souls of those who have gone before us. Greedy, Greedy is very harmful. Even some top/rich people have lost their children as a result of the gods of that land/area…They know themselves, once operated business in a place called Ndulya,Nkondo in Buyende. Actually, they even shared/sold the gods abroad… etc. for wealth and power. God has heard they cry of the Children. Corruption and evil is now being rooted out. Restoration is coming. Jeremiah 30.
Jumba “Swaibu”, eh ?
Are you a Moslem ?
How can you know about “Kafiri” things ?
Swaibu, these guys, Catholic priests, make/take a vow of poverty…
” I swear upon heaven and earth and as God is my witness, I will never have 5,000,000/= to my name”
Kati, Lakwena was right to wonder…
Another thing, they are supposed to swear to leave all the women to me…
That is why they are into young boys…
I don’t know why but as long as they live the “sanyu lya Maka ” to me.
Hiccup
He should be jailed just for dreaming that the money 5 million belonged to him…
I suspect it was a “courtship rejection” gone bad between the priest and the boy
“…if I can’t have you, no one can..”
What am I drinking today? Smells like spirit- hope I do not go blind.