Pope, Kabaka discuss religion in Buganda

Kampala- Pope Francis met with Buganda king Ronald Muwenda Mutebi at the weekend and discussed religious matters in the kingdom, Daily Monitor has learnt.

Kabaka Mutebi is the grandson of Mwanga II, who ordered the execution of the Uganda Martyrs in 1887. The martyrs, a group of 23 Anglican and 22 Catholic converts, were executed at Namugongo where the Pope visited during his three-day stay in the country.

According to sources, the Holy Father met the Kabaka at Rubaga Cathedral before meeting bishops. Others in attendance were Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda, Kampala Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga and the Pope’s interpreter, Msgr Mark Miles.

Buganda Kingdom minister for information Noah Kiyimba said the two leaders exchanged pleasantries for about 30 minutes.
“For us Baganda, we are excited that the Pope met the Kabaka,” Mr Kiyimba said.

He added that much of the discussions between the two leaders centred on King Mutesa’s invitation of missionaries to Uganda, and donation of his then palace, Rubaga, to the whites, which later turned into a worship centre.

“The Kabaka told him that perhaps if Kabaka Mutesa had not invited the missionaries, there would not be religion in Uganda,” Mr Kiyimba said yesterday.

Towards the end of the meeting, the kingdom information minister said the Pope and Kabaka exchanged gifts. “The Kabaka gave the Pope a portrait of King Mutesa (Mutebi’s father) and the Pope gave the Kabaka and the queen a rosary and a Bible,” Mr Kiyimba added.

Yesterday, the Pontiff concluded his first Africa tour after visiting Kenya, Uganda, and the Central African Republic.

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