KAMPALA. The results of the DNA test of Pastor Augustine Yiga, to establish whether he is the father of a child who was conceived by a woman who accuses him of rape, have been released.
Early this year, a woman accused Pastor Yiga of Revival Church in Kawaala Township of having sexually assaulted and impregnated her in 2014 at his church and abandoned them, an allegation he vehemently denied.
Deputy spokesman for Kampala Metropolitan Police, Mr Luke Owoyesigyire, confirmed that the results of the DNA samples of Pastor Yiga and the child were returned, but couldn’t reveal details on legal grounds.
“The DNA results and the criminal file has been submitted to the Resident State Attorney for perusal and guidance,” Mr Owoyesigyire told this reporter.
The woman claimed she was 15 at the time she was allegedly assaulted by the pastor.
She said she had gone to Pastor Yiga’s church for prayers to help her get a job abroad.
She didn’t report the sex assault case until in February this year, which made it difficult for police investigators to obtain medical evidence. This led to the arrest and detention of Pastor Yiga for more than three days at Kawempe Police Station.
Detectives, however, decided to pick DNA samples from the child and compare with that of Pastor Yiga and the suspected victim.
Mr Owoyesigyire couldn’t reveal details whether they have submitted the file with the purpose of preferring charges against Pastor Yiga or clear him of the offence.
“We shall follow what the DPP advises us to do,” he said.
But detectives often submit files to Resident State Attorney when they have obtained enough information about the suspect.
Pastor Yiga has often insisted that his woes are engineered by his fellow Pentecostal pastors to tarnish his name and lead to the collapse of his church.
abagala@ug.nationmedia.com
