Church of Uganda probes scuffle involving retired clergy in Abim

What the report says

The Church of Uganda has opened inquiries into a scuffle seen in a video circulating on social media involving Rev. Canon Richard Ongom, a retired clergy member serving on contract in Abim in the Diocese of North Karamoja, according to Watchdog Uganda. The church said it had taken note of the incident and was concerned about the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

In the statement, Acting Provincial Secretary Balaam Muheebwa said the matter was being handled through the church’s appropriate structures. He indicated that administrative and pastoral steps would be taken once the facts are established. The church also appealed to Christians in the Diocese of North Karamoja and the wider community to remain calm and continue praying while the inquiry is underway.

The report says the identity of the other person involved had not been disclosed, and the church had not yet explained what led to the altercation. The development matters because it involves a senior church figure and raises questions about conduct and internal accountability within one of Uganda’s major religious institutions. More broadly, church bodies often use internal disciplinary and pastoral processes to address disputes before making public conclusions, though the details in this case remain under review.