Foreign pastor arraigned over unpermitted stay

MAUREEN ODUNGA

A PASTOR at the Restoration and Bible Church, Edward Walyaula Namunga (40), and three others were yesterday arraigned at the Kisutu Resident Magistrates’ Court on unlawful presence in the country.

The rest of the accused were Julie Kay Kasau (30), a Congolese; Neema Joseph Gachuma (38), a Tanzanian and a Pakistani, Ali Khan Muhammad (40). Before Senior Resident Magistrate Thomas Simba the accused pleaded guilty to all charges and were granted bail on the condition of availing two reliable sureties who will have to sign a bond of 5m/- each.

A prosecutor with the Immigration Department, Mr Novatus Mlay, informed the court that investigation into the matter has been completed and requested for another date to present the facts.

Reading out the charges, the prosecutor alleged that on April 15, this year, at Aggrey Street Kariakoo area within the city, Kasau being a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo was found in unlawful presence in the United Republic of Tanzania without a valid permit.

He also alleged that on the same occasion at the shop owned by Gachuma, Kasau was found engaging in occupation of selling goods at Aggrey Street, Kariakoo in the city without a valid permit allowing her to do so.

It was also alleged that on the same occasion at the shop of Gachuma being a citizen of Uganda, Namunga was found to have failed to comply with a lawful condition imposed on his residence permit Class C No 1019960 to work as a Pastor of Restoration Bible Church.

On the fourth count, at the same location and time, Gachuma being a citizen of Tanzania was found to have engaged Kasau in an occupation as a seller without a valid permit while knowing that she was not a resident and that doing so amounts to an offence. Magistrate Simba adjourned the case until today when the court will be furnished with the facts on the matter.

Meanwhile, a Pakistan National, Muhammad was arraigned before the same court for unlawful presence in the country.

Before Senior Resident Magistrate Hellen Riwa the accused pleaded guilty to the charge and was granted bail but failed to comply with the conditions.

A prosecutor with the Immigration Department, Mr Philip Mwambilizyi, informed the court that investigations into the matter had been completed but failed to proceed with the facts because the accused could neither understand Kiswahili nor English.

Mr Mwambilizyi requested the court to avail time so that they would secure a translator. Magistrate Riwa adjourned the case to April 21, this year when it will come up for mention and ordered the accused to be remanded in custody.