Religion created peace in Uganda, says Museveni
L to R: Jinja Diocese Bishop Charles Martin Wamika, Tororo Arch Bishop Emmanuel Oboo, President Museveni and Kampala Arch Bishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga cutting a cake to mark 50 years of Jinja dioceses at the Cathedral on Sunday. PHOTO BY DENIS EDEMA
What you need to know:
- The mass which was led by Pope Nuncio [representative] in Uganda Archbishop Micheal August Blume was also attended by several bishops including, Rt Rev Charles Martin Wamika of Jinja Dioceses, Archbishop of Tororo Emmanuel Obbo and several politicians.
- The Archbishop of Kampala Dioceses, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga who spoke on behalf of all the bishops said the dioceses were built to promote unity and communion and urged Christians to continue building them.
President Museveni has said the establishment of religion created peace in the Country.
He disclosed this while officiating at the Golden Jubilee celebration of Jinja Diocese held at St. Joseph Cathedral in Jinja.
Mr Museveni said during the establishment of these dioceses, there was instability in the country unlike today.
“I know very well the history of these dioceses especially that of Kampala and Jinja because I was there. I was in senior six at Ntare SS. Most of you are studying them as history but I thank God, I was there and I still remember the situation because our country was in trouble during that time in our before the coming of these dioceses.’’
“The situation was very bad between 1966 and 1971 when [Milton] Obote overthrew [Edward] Mutesa. By the time these dioceses begun, the country was not stable at all. I was already in politics. I was in Democratic Party when Obote abolish kingdoms,’’ Museveni said.
President Museveni said Ugandans should thank God for the peace we have in the Country to avoid repeat of what happened in the past governments.
He further noted that his NRM government fought sectarianism at both religious and national levels.
“I thank all religious bodies for the establishment of Inter- Religious Council which has created unity among all religions. I can see now Muslims attending functions for Catholics and Protestants. Unlike before, I’m seeing now Jinja mayor Mr Majidu Batambuze is a Muslim but he is here; an indication of freedom of worship in the country,’’ Mr Museveni added.
However, the Archbishop of Kampala Dioceses, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga who spoke on behalf of all the bishops said the dioceses were built to promote unity and communion and urged Christians to continue building them.
He also urged Christians to promote truthfulness in honour of the teachings of the Bible.
“Promote peace and truthfulness right from the families, nothing else but the truth because the Bible says it will set you free. There are so many lies going on; in the newspapers, homes where the father lies to the wife and children do the same because people have forgotten the need for truth,’’Mr Lwanga said.
The mass which was led by Pope Nuncio [representative] in Uganda Archbishop Micheal August Blume was also attended by several bishops including, Rt Rev Charles Martin Wamika of Jinja Dioceses, Archbishop of Tororo Emmanuel Obbo and several politicians.
