Archbishop Ntagali decries mistreatment by soldiers

Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Stanley Ntagali has asked President Museveni to rein in his bodyguards to treat bishops and their wives with dignity.

He made the remarks yesterday during the 133rd anniversary to mark the death of Bishop James Hannington at Kyando in Mayuge District.
“I was embarrassed this morning when I was being blocked from accessing this place,” Archbishop Ntagali said.
“Please advise your security people to handle us with respect. My wife was forced out of the car and had to walk, bishops and their wives carry Bibles, not guns,” he added.

“I have attended several functions with you at State House and elsewhere but never been treated like this,” he went on.
Archbishop Ntagali, however, thanked President Museveni for the assistance he has routinely extended to the Church, especially to the Martyrs shrine in Namugongo, Janani Luwum and now Kyando (Bishop Hannington).

President Museveni promised to address the archbishop’s concerns.
“It’s a mistake and there is need to teach them. But I think they are overwhelmed by the numbers especially to avert a terrorist strike. But I am going to work on that,” the President said.
Mr Museveni eulogised Bishop Hannington as “the only bishop that was murdered, ‘regrettably’ at a young age.”

Declares public holiday
Meanwhile, the President has declared October 29, the day Bishop Hannington was killed, a public holiday. “Of course we are having many public holidays but I think this one is unique. Like I have stated, only two bishops (Luwum and Hannington) have been martyred for religion in the last 130 years,” he said.
“We can say the public holidays are many but one more will not kill us,” he added.

Mr Museveni, who arrived at Kyando at 2:40pm, was received by Archbishop Ntagali, Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Betty Aol Ochan and ministers among others.
Prayers were led by Archbishop Ntagali assisted by the Bishop of central Busoga Patrick Wakula.
Yesterday’s celebration was the first to be held at a national level, with President Museveni being the first sitting head of state to grace it.

About the site

The Bishop James Hannington Memorial site is where Bishop Hannington and 48 of his African helpers were murdered on October 29, 1885. The site chronicles a fascinating story about Bishop Hannington’s brief stay in Kyando, for example, the rock caves where he slept. It also bears an interesting formation of stones that worked as his teaching pulpit and chief Lubas’ trial Court and rock on which he was speared and eventually died.

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