GICUMBI - Scores of residents who are fond of gathering in a place believed to be a ‘sacred location ’ located in Gihembe Cell, Kageyo Sector for night worship, were last week arrested for holding an illegal assembly.

The worshipers, from different parts of the country were held at Byumba Police Post.

They were however, released after being cautioned against conducting night prayers at the ‘sacred’ place of worship again. "We released the night worshipers after they committed in writing that they will not repeat the act,” said a police source. 

Sources further revealed  that the worshipers had earlier on been warned against meeting for prayers at night, at a recent district security meeting chaired by Mayor, Bonane Nyangezi. 

One of the leaders of the group Didace Muligande, in earlier interview with The New Times said they have been worshiping from this location  for the last nine years.

"It is a sacred place where people from all religious denominations gather during the night to pray,” he said.
 He added that they are doing their best to have their night bush prayers legalised by the district authorities. 

However, the Kageyo Sector Executive Secretary, Pierre Damien Sharangabo, said the illegal night prayers pose a security threat to the area.

"We can’t ascertain the motive behind these night prayers because the worshipers have no secured buildings to pray from. They simply pray in the open bush overlooking Gihembe refugee camp,” he said, adding that local leaders at Gihembe Cell have been briefed to enforce the ban on the group’s bush worshiping. 

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