Ntagali enthroned as Museveni preaches against homosexuality
Former archbishop of the Church of Uganda Henry Orombi (L) hands over the pastoral staff to his successor Stanley Ntagali during his enthronement at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe in Kampala yesterday. PHOTO BY STEPHEN WANDERA
What you need to know:
The new Archbishop of the Church of Uganda promised to speed up the completion of the Church House so that it can generate income for the church.
Kampala
The Rt. Rev. Stanley Ntagali was yesterday enthroned as the eighth Archbishop of the province of the Church of Uganda, at a function where President Museveni urged leaders and the public to desist from promoting homosexuality.
Archbishop Ntagali, 57, was sworn-in and handed the Provincial staff at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe, taking over from retiring Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi, who has been at the helm of the Anglican Church in Uganda for nine years.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Museveni asked clerics to utilise the pulpits to guide young people and preach against evils such as HIV/Aids and homosexuality. “If there are some homosexuals, we shall not kill or persecute them but there should be no promotion of homosexuality. We cannot accept promotion of homosexuality as if it is a good thing,” Mr Museveni said amid applause.
Commending church
The President, who congratulated Christians and the Church upon rejecting messages about homosexuality, described priests from the USA and Europe as partners in the fight against the vice.
The President’s remarks come amid controversies and media reports of increasing cases of promotion of homosexuality, in protest against a new legislation in offing.
The Anti-gay Bill fronted by Ndorwa West MP David Bahati seeks to stop the promotion of homosexuality, inducement of children into homosexuality and same sex marriages in churches.
Archbishop Ntagali commended his predecessors and the government for the cordial relationship, saying he would uphold and develop the already laid foundation. “I wish to commend Bishop Orombi for spearheading the construction of the Church House and top on my priority is to complete it so that it can begin generating funds for the church,” Archbishop Ntagali said in his maiden speech.
He pledged to work towards reviving believers’ commitment to God as a way of helping the country fight the rampant evils such as defilement, homosexuality, child sacrifice and domestic violence.
Bishop Orombi said he was satisfied with his service upon experiencing change in God’s work throughout the country.
“It was my deepest desire to see Uganda rise and shine. I must commend the Church of Uganda for the trust and the unusual unity among the bishops from the entire province. There is no better honour than to be a pastor and teacher,” Bishop Orombi said, thanking his counterparts from USA and Europe for supporting the church.
