The tragic incident in Buyende district, eastern Uganda, has shocked the community after the parish priest of Wesunile Catholic Parish, Rev. Fr. Silver Osuna Owori, aged 33, was arrested for his alleged role in the torture and death of a 14-year-old boy named Joseph Kiirya. Alongside the priest, his driver, Robert Gabula, was also detained, and both are now held at Buyende Central Police Station. The police say the two will face court once their investigation is complete. This heartbreaking event has raised serious questions about justice, authority, and the safety of vulnerable people in the community.
The incident began on Friday, August 1, 2025, when Fr. Owori discovered that 5 million Ugandan shillings (about $1,350 USD) was missing from his home. He immediately suspected Joseph Kiirya, a young boy who had been accused of stealing from him before. Believing Kiirya was responsible, Fr. Owori reportedly told his driver, Gabula, and another man, known only as Waiswa, to find the boy, who had gone into hiding. The two men tracked down Kiirya and brought him to the parish premises.
According to police reports, Fr. Owori ordered his aides to beat the teenager to force him to confess to stealing the money. Despite the brutal assault, Kiirya insisted he didn’t know anything about the missing cash. The boy was then locked inside a store at the parish, where he was left alone as his condition worsened. Eventually, Kiirya became unresponsive, and Fr. Owori called the police, claiming his team had caught a suspected thief. When officers arrived, they found Kiirya dead, with clear signs of severe physical abuse.
Local residents were stunned by the news. One villager explained that the parish is usually quiet during weekdays, with limited access, so no one outside knew what was happening. “We only found out the boy was tortured after the police told us,” the villager said. By the time the police reached the scene, Fr. Owori had already fled, leaving behind a community in shock and grief.
A postmortem report revealed the horrific extent of Kiirya’s injuries. The boy had deep wounds and multiple injuries across his body. Busoga North Police spokesperson Michael Kasadha confirmed that Kiirya bled to death because he didn’t receive medical care in time. The brutality of the attack and the lack of immediate help led to the teenager’s tragic death.
Gabula, the driver, turned himself in to the police when they arrived at Wesunile Parish. Fr. Owori, however, was not caught until later, when authorities found him at another location in the Busoga sub-region. The police are now working to gather all the evidence needed to build a strong case. Kasadha said they are preparing to send their findings to the resident state attorney, who will decide the exact charges. These could include murder or aggravated torture of a minor, both very serious crimes.
This case has sparked outrage in Buyende and beyond. People are questioning how a trusted figure like a priest could be involved in such a violent act. Many are calling for justice for Joseph Kiirya, a young boy who lost his life in a horrific way. The incident has also raised concerns about the misuse of authority and the need to protect vulnerable individuals, especially children, from abuse.
The community is struggling to make sense of the tragedy. Parents in Buyende are now worried about the safety of their children, especially in places like churches, which are supposed to be safe havens. Some residents are asking for clearer rules to prevent such incidents in the future. They want leaders, including religious figures, to be held accountable if they break the law.
Police are urging the public not to take justice into their own hands. Kasadha emphasized that suspects should be handed over to authorities, who are trained to handle investigations properly. “No one is above the law,” he said, warning that those in positions of power must follow legal processes. This message is especially important in a case like this, where a respected community leader is accused of a terrible crime.
As the investigation continues, the people of Buyende are mourning Joseph Kiirya. His death has left a deep wound in the community, and many hope the court will deliver justice. The case also serves as a reminder of the need for compassion, fairness, and accountability, especially when dealing with young and vulnerable people. For now, the focus is on ensuring that those responsible face the consequences of their actions, while the community works to heal from this devastating loss.