Kampala — Pastor Jackson Ssenyonga, the senior pastor of Christian Life Centre was arrested last Saturday for allegedly molesting a 13-year-old girl while on a flight in the United States of America (USA).

The Contra Costa Times newspaper in the US reported that Sheriff's deputies (American policemen) apprehended Past Ssenyonga at Oakland International Airport accused of molesting the girl on a flight that originated in Denver to Oakland.

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.

Mr Senyonga was initially taken to Santa Rita jail in Dublin, but his current custody status wasn't immediatly available on Wednesday, Mr Nelson said.

The Chairman of the National Association of Born Again Churches in Uganda (NABC), Mr. Alex Mitala said he was not aware of Mr Senyonga's arrest. NABC is the umbrella body that oversees the operation of several born-again churches.

"First of all Ssenyonga is not under the organization I lead. But I know him as a person who married a young woman when he was a young man and they are happily married," Mr Mitala said.

Pastor Moses Male of Arise for Christ, an organisation that is fighting immorality in born-again churches described the incident as a shame to the community.

"It's not surprising because we have gays, rapists, conmen and extortionists who are masquerading as pastors in Uganda. What surprised me is that the incident happened on a 13-year-old and on a plane which is a public place, Mr. Male who already knew of Senyonga's arrest by the time he was contacted by Saturday Monitor, said.