Government unveils final Pope programme
Roads at Namugongo where the Pope will be passing being washed yesterday to reduce dust. Photo by Rachel Mabala
Kampala- Government yesterday issued guidelines that will apply to dignitaries and the public at the designated venues, which Pope Francis will visit when he arrives in the country.
The guidelines include protocol, traffic and security from the Pope’s arrival at the airport and other venues like the Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine, the two Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo, Kololo Independence Grounds, Mapeera Bakateyamba Home, and Rubaga Cathedral.
Also among the guidelines, no vending of food or beverages will be allowed near the venues.
Addressing journalists at the government’s Media Centre, the Minister for General Duties, Prof Tarsis Kabwegyere, said the Pontiff, who arrives tomorrow, will be received at the airport by President Museveni.
The Pope will be travelling along with a 100-member entourage, 30 his personal crew and 70 international journalists.
The government’s entourage at the airport will include 47 persons, notably including First Lady Janet Museveni, Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, and Chief Justice Bart Katureebe.
The Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Michael Blume, will lead the Catholic Church leadership in Uganda, who will include 30 bishops.
Also in the welcoming party, will be five bishops from the Church of Uganda. The Catholic Church has also accredited 1,000 faithful who will welcome the Pontiff at the airport.
Day One (Friday)
As earlier confirmed, from the Airport, Pope Francis will head to State House, Entebbe, for a brief tete-a-tete with President Museveni. Information available to Daily Monitor, indicated the meeting will discuss only religious matters.
The Pope will thereafter address about 300 guests ministers, permanent secretaries and diplomats, at the State House Main Hall. From Entebbe, he will proceed to the Catholic Martyrs Shrine in Munyonyo for a meeting with catechists.
Day Two (Saturday)
This Saturday, Pope Francis will visit the Namungongo Anglican Martyrs Shrine and proceed to the museum where the 25 martyrs were killed.
President Museveni will be at the Anglican shrine earlier that morning at 7:45 a.m before the Pope on his way to attend the Open air Mass, according to a revised tentative programme issued yesterday.
At the Catholic Shrines at 9:00 a.m, Pope Francis will be received by the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese Cyprian Kizito Lwanga. He will enter the Basilica for a prayer before Mass begins.
Bishop Joseph Franzelli of Lira Diocese, who also heads the committee on Publicity and Social Communications, at the same briefing, said the Mass will last not more than two hours.
In the afternoon (3;00pm) the Pontiff will address the youth at Kololo. The youth have been drawn from all parts of the country and the Catholic Church alone has accredited 10,000 to attend.
Later in the afternoon this Saturday, the Pope will head to Bakateyamba Home in Nalukolongo where he will mingle with the sick, children, disabled and other vulnerable groups. In the evening he will meet Catholic bishops and priests at Rubaga Cathedral.
