Kisoro Bishop�s house set ablaze.
Sheila Gashishiri &Richard M. Kavuma.
A house belonging to Muhabura Bishop Ernest Shalita was Wednesday set ablaze.Shalita had earlier escaped unhurt when huge stones were hurled at his car last Friday.
�I am still alright. I was not hurt. But that is a miracle,� Bishop Shalita said in a low voice yesterday. �Every one who looks at the car wonders how I survived.�
Shalita said he was driving home between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. when he was pulled out of his car. He said they smashed his car with �very big stones.�
The maroon saloon car UED 139 is now parked at Kisoro police station. A police officer said Shalita had been advised to stay at home for his own safety.
The bishop called on government to �move fast� and stop the situation in Kisoro from getting out of hand.
�I believe they know who is doing this,� Shalita said, declining to mention names. �This is no longer a church matter, it is a state matter.�
Shalita is a key figure in the succession crisis in Muhabura. He recommended Canon David Sebuhinja to succeed him as bishop. The House of Bishops early this year confirmed Sebuhinja as the bishop-elect but a section of the Christians have rejected him. The bishops have stuck to their decision and Sebuhinja�s consecration is due on Jan. 19.
The burning of Shalita�s house on Nyarusiiza road, about 2km from Seseme Cathedral, is the latest attack on the retiring bishop. In February, needles were planted in Shalita�s cathedral chair before a church service.
�I have been there with the police and the fire has been controlled,� Shalita said. He said damage was mainly done to one of the eighteen rooms of the commercial building. He said the tables, doors and, windows were all in ashes.
Shalita said he had personally built the house in view of his retirement.
�I had got this plot knowing that one day I might raise some money from it,� the bishop said sadly.
December 27, 2002 00:52:08
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