No charges for Ugandan minister arrested for molesting girl

Molestation suspect nabbed at Oakland airport heads Ugandan megachurch

OAKLAND — A man arrested Saturday on suspicion of molesting a 13-year-old East Bay girl on a flight from Denver to Oakland is the minister of a Ugandan megachurch and is known internationally as a poverty-relief advocate.

Jackson Senyonga, 41, of Uganda was arrested by sheriff's deputies at Oakland International Airport on suspicion of fondling a girl seated next to him on the flight, sheriff's deputies said.

Alameda County prosecutors have since declined to charge Senyonga because of jurisdictional issues, but have referred the case to the FBI, Sheriff's Sgt. J.D. Nelson said Thursday.



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According to the newspaper report of August 20, 2008, Pastor Ssenyonga, 41, was arrested on suspicion of committing a lewd and lascivious act on a child younger than 14 years.

Mr Senyonga, the proprietor of Top Radio and Television could also face federal charges and is under investigation by the FBI. Mr Ssenyonga was described by the publication as “a minister of a Ugandan mega-church and known internationally as a poverty-relief advocate.”

The alleged victim, who was traveling alone, told flight attendants that a man seated next to her had fondled her, and she asked to be moved, a US security officer ,Mr J. Nelson said. The man was later identified as Mr Senyonga.

Sheriff’s youth and family services bureau investigators interviewed Mr Senyonga and his accuser when they got off the plane, Mr Nelson said. The girl’s account was deemed credible, Nelson said. The girl suffered no physical injuries. LINK