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Catholic bishops call for reconciliation
A procession of clergy arrives for the Martyrs’ Day Mass at the Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine Namugongo, Wakiso District, yesterday. For the second year running, the fete was without fanfare as pilgrims stayed away because of restrictions put in place to check Covid-19 spread. PHOTO | DAVID LUBOWA
What you need to know:
- Bishop Ssemogerere urged security agencies to double their efforts in safeguarding the lives of Ugandans and investigating the killings. Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese Bishop Anthony Joseph Antony Zziwa, who is also the chairperson of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, urged everyone to continuously pray for the country amid the rampant killings and other forms of violence.
Catholic bishops have called for reconciliation and peace so as to end violence in the country.
During yesterday’s Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations at the Catholic shrine at Namugongo, the bishops condemned the attack on Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, the outgoing Works and Transport minister, and called for thorough investigations into the incident.
They also condemned violence leading up to the January 14 polls.
“Since we have just come out of elections, I want to emphasise the words of the Holy Father (Pope Francis) that we must be witnesses to the legacy of living a life of reconciliation, respect for one another, and justice, which ensue into genuine peace,” Masaka Diocese Bishop Severus Jjumba said.
Bishop Jjumba, who was the main celebrant at the event, also urged Christians to emulate the Uganda Martyrs who died for their faith.
Similarly, Kasana-Luweero Diocese Bishop Paul Ssemogerere, who is also the apostolic administrator of Kampala Archdiocese, said the number of abductions and killings have increased in the country.
“We are living in a society where fraternity is gradually but surely disintegrating. The most recent being on the attempted assassination on Gen Wamala, an act in which his daughter and driver were killed. We commiserate with him upon this loss and pray for his quick recovery. We also condole with the family of the driver and pray that God strengthens them in this difficult time,” Bishop Ssemogerere said.
He called upon those engaging in the criminal acts to have a change of heart.
“We are all created in the image of God. Any act of violence against any human being is a direct attack on God in whose image we were created,” Bishop Ssemogerere said.
He urged security agencies to double their efforts in safeguarding the lives of Ugandans and investigating the killings. Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese Bishop Anthony Joseph Antony Zziwa, who is also the chairperson of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, urged everyone to continuously pray for the country amid the rampant killings and other forms of violence.
“There is a lot of violence in the country, murder, land wrangles, corruption and torture of people. These must stop. We cannot come here to pray for peace and afterwards promote torture, murder and so on,” Bishop Zziwa said.
Bishop Zziwa called for the release of political prisoners or have them charged in courts of law.
The celebrations at the Catholic shrine were attended by about 200 guests. Among those in attendance were Deputy Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, National Unity Platform party president Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, and Buganda Kingdom prime minister Charles Peter Mayiga.
