By Denish Ongora (denish.ongora@vol.co.ug)
Lira City.
The parishioners of some churches affiliated to Church of Uganda in Lira City are counting losses and leaving in fear after some burglars allegedly broke into five churches and stole property worth millions of shillings.
In a spate of two months, over five churches according to the leadership of the church have lost their property including public address systems, money, chairs and tables.
The thieves have also reportedly broken into the sacristy and stolen the most sacred gift of Jesus Christ the Eucharist (communion and wine)
Some of the churches that lost their property to the thieves are; Boke St peters church of Uganda, St Phillips Gwengabara, Opila St. Mathias, Akia church of Uganda and St. Barnabas Omar where two goats belonging to the lay reader were stolen.
At St.Peters Church of Uganda Boke,one of the parishioners who spoke to Voice of Lango on condition of anonymity says the burglars have broken into the church for two times in a period of three weeks.
According to the parishioner, in the first incident, the burglars even broke into the sacristy and stole the speakers and public address system while in the second incident they made away with other properties.
The leadership of the Diocese of Lango have now vowed to follow up with the law some thieves who have made it a habit to steal property belonging to some churches under the diocese.
Rev. Moses Ogwal of Angwet-Angwet Parish said they are now considering taking serious steps against the thieves who have been terrorizing the churches.
Lango diocese public relations officer David Livingstone Okello said they are now alert and ready to arrest anyone who will be caught stealing property belonging to churches and follow them with the law.
He called for vigilance from the public and asked them not to buy property suspected to have been stolen from the churches.
Recently Bishop of Diocese of Lango Rt. Rev. Prof. Alfred Olwa also decried the increasing cases of theft of church property especially at Boroboro holy hill.
