Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | Bishop Zac Niringiye, the former Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Kampala, was assaulted by unknown assailants in the Ntinda suburb of Kampala.
While Bishop Zac Niringiye, 70, was out for a jog, he was struck on the back of the head by a man on a boda boda. The impact caused him to fall to the ground.
A video circulating on social media shows the Bishop lying unconscious on the roadside, being assisted by bystanders.
The incident occurred at Commercial Road, close to Rock View Hotel, while Niringiye was jogging around midday.
An eyewitness reported seeing the assailant attack Niringiye before fleeing the scene on a boda boda.
“The attacker stole Niringiye’s mobile phone,” said the eyewitness who recorded a video of the man of God whimpering in pain as Good Samaritans helped him get off the ground.
Meanwhile, the Kampala Metropolitan Police have launched a manhunt for the unknown attackers who assaulted Bishop Zac Niringiye .
“The Police at Ntinda are currently investigating a robbery incident that took place on July 29, 2024,” Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigire said.
“It has been reported that Rtd Bishop Zac David Niringiye, a resident of Kimera Road, Village 12, Ntinda Parish in Kampala, was attacked while on his midday jog.”
Police added that the retired Anglican Bishop was struck with a blunt object, rendering him unconscious and causing him to collapse. During the attack, his iPhone 13 Pro Max was stolen.
Police have reported that Niringiye is now in stable condition after receiving initial treatment at a nearby clinic.
Interestingly, this attack echoes a similar incident in 2021, when Niringiye was injured by thugs who struck him with a brick and stole his mobile phone.
Also Read: Thugs who use flying kicks to rob Kampala residents remanded
Authorities are now conducting an investigation to identify and capture those responsible for the recent assault.
“Efforts to apprehend the suspects are ongoing, and we are working diligently to bring those responsible to justice,” Owoyesigire said.
Bishop Zac Niringiye gained prominence after retiring from his role as Assistant Bishop of Kampala in the Anglican Church.
Shortly after the 2011 elections, he turned to activism and became a prominent figure in the Black Monday movement in 2012.
Through this initiative, he exposed numerous corruption scandals in his weekly publication, the Black Monday magazine.
