Pastor Accused of Raping Latvian Tourist Arrested

A Ugandan Pastor who is accused of raping a Latvian tourist has been arrested, according to Uganda Police.

Deputy Police Spokesperson, Claire Nabakka, said Pastor Joseph Collins Twahirwa of Epikaizo Ministries International was arrested following accusations labelled against him by Anda, a 36-year-old Latvian tourist.

Anda accused the pastor of raping her while on her visit to Uganda late last year.

In an interview with the Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda, Anda says when she landed at Entebbe International Airport, the pastor sent his escorts who took her to a house different from the one she had booked in Makindye.

“They welcomed me in the house and they took my bag, saying: ‘This is where you will stay.’ But I ask, ‘why should I stay here when I have my house?’ I heard Daddy Collins knocking and telling me to open the door. But I couldn’t open it because I was in the shower. He opened the door and he told me he wanted to keep me “warm”. He pushed me to the bed. He said he wanted to have a baby. He pushed me onto the bed and raped me,” Anda told Daily Monitor.

She further alleged that she wasn’t helped by police officers at different police stations including Jinja Road that kept tossing her around.

“I want to update the country that currently, the pastor is in our custody as we finalise our investigations. The file has been taken to the DPP for further legal guidance,” Nabakka told journalists.

She added that some of the officers who were accused of unprofessionalism in the manner they behaved have since been arrested.

These include; detective sergeant Doreen Oyera, Detective Corporal Judith Akite and Detective Joyce Ayileget.

The three have been charged with irregular conduct contrary to section 44 of the Police Act.

Nabakka added that the victim has been secured after reports that some people were threatening to harm her after the incident went public.

Her visa, which was about to expire, has also been extended to enable her to provide more details to aid investigations into the case.