Prime
Namugongo shrines work behind schedule
The ampitheatre at the Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine Lake under construction. Photo by Stephen Otage
KAMPALA- The Uganda Episcopal conference has said construction work at Namugongo Catholic Martyrs shrine are behind schedule with the Pope scheduled to visit Uganda on November 27. The delays in the works have been attributed to heavy rain.
Speaking by telephone yesterday, Father Joseph Sebunya, the Chancellor of Kampala Archdiocese, said the deadline they had set to complete the works was hampered by rain and the Catholic Church has shifted focus to areas which the Pope will use during his visit.
At the Anglican Church shrine, too, works are also incomplete and Archbishop Emeritus Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo, who is also overseeing the construction project, last week doubted whether everything will have been done by November 27.
He did not say what caused the delays but there has been a challenge of funding which prompted President Museveni to donate Shs18b towards construction of the two shrines.
The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) team led by managing director Silver Mugisha visited the Namugongo Catholic shrine yesterday to ascertain the corporation’s readiness for the papal visit.
During the visit, Uganda People’s Defence Forces soldiers were seen in uniform carrying construction materials on their heads to the Catholic shrine site.
The incomplete works include the paving around the shrines, levelling of the shrine compounds, planting of grass and roofing of the amphitheatre where the Martyrs Lake used to be. However, Father Sebunya said the roofing would take two days because most of the materials are pre-fabricated.
“We are going to plant a carpet of grass which is grown grass and we are sure that the place will be usable by the time the Pope arrives. We pray that it does not rain much. The roads will be paved but the places to be used are ready,” he said.
NWSC yesterday took journalists on a guided tour of the works that had been concluded around the shrine.
According to Dr Mugisha, NWSC has completed most of the works in places which used to suffer poor services such as Kasangati, Namugongo and Kira.
PAPAL VISIT TERMS
•Sources in the Catholic Church and in the Office of the Prime Minister said among the Vatican terms, is that during his visit in Uganda, the Pope will not use big 4x4 SUV vehicles for his mobility and prefers an “ordinary” car.
•The Pope also told the government he will not stay in a hotel, but rather he and his entourage will sleep in a common place.
•The Pope and his entourage will also have a common time for their meals.
•The Pope also said there would be no state banquet and that he will take care of his own accommodation.
