A church crusade in Bushenyi District ended in tragedy on Friday evening after three worshippers were fatally electrocuted, leaving the local community devastated.
The incident happened during a crusade organized by Rock Ministries Church at Kashenyi Marketplace in Ibaare Sub-County. According to police spokesperson Apollo Tayebwa, the accident occurred when a metallic tent pole made contact with a high-voltage three-phase power line.
The victims were identified as Blessed Atuhweere (23) from Ntungamo District, Waiswa Narutazari from Mitooma District, and William Rwakisheija from Bushenyi District. Another participant, Nathan Mulekwa (40), survived but suffered critical injuries.
Tayebwa blamed the tragedy on negligence in handling electrical installations and poor venue safety measures. The bodies of the deceased were taken to Kampala International University Teaching Hospital’s Ishaka Mortuary for postmortem.
Bushenyi Deputy RDC William Kasigazi condemned the organizers for failing to alert security authorities or arrange medical support for the gathering, calling the lapse “completely unacceptable.”
Following the incident, the crusade was abruptly halted. Authorities confirmed that Pastor Kiiza, leader of Rock Ministries Church, is on the run, and police have appealed to the public to share information that could lead to his arrest.
The tragedy has triggered wider concerns about safety standards at religious gatherings held in public spaces, with calls for stricter enforcement of protocols to prevent future disasters.
