Terrorism, elections, dominate sermons

NATIONWIDE. Messages tailored around the 2016 general elections and calls for security vigilance, in the wake of a spate of terrorists’ attacks in and outside Uganda dominated Easter Sunday prayers and sermons across the country.
Church of Uganda Archbishop Stanley Ntagali used his sermon at All Saints’ Cathedral in Kampala to appeal to Ugandans not to sell their voting rights in exchange for cash.
“Such acts throw you in the hands of bad leaders and compromise service delivery,” Ntagali said. Making similar calls, Kampala Diocese Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, who led the Easter Sunday mass at Rubaga Cathedral, urged Christians to unite against terrorism. “Murders have become the order of the day, I extend my condolences to those who have been killed like prosecutor Joan Kagezi and those killed in the terror attack in Garissa in Kenya,” he said.

Nationwide. Messages tailored around the 2016 general elections and security vigilance in the wake of terrorists’ attacks in and outside Uganda, dominated yesterday’s Easter Sunday sermons across the country.
Church of Uganda Archbishop Stanley Ntagali used his sermon at All Saints Cathedral in Kampala to appeal to Ugandans not to sell their voting rights in exchange for money.
“Such acts throw you in the hands of bad leaders and compromise service delivery,” Archbishop Ntagali said and equally cautioned politicians planning to buy votes.
“It violates the electorate’s rights to choose merited leaders. Let people vote for you on merit. Exercise high sense of maturity through maintaining peace and unity before and after the forthcoming general elections,” Archbishop Ntagali said.

Voters urged
Bishop of Namirembe Diocese Wilberforce Kityo-Luwalira told the congregation at St Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe to vote people who have the country at heart. “As we head to 2016 polls, let us look out for people who have God and the country at heart so that we do not have only those looking for bread,” he said.
Bishop Luwalira, who spoke to a congregation that included among others, former prime minister Apollo Nsibambi, Deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma, Members of Parliament and Buganda Kingdom officials, also asked Ugandans to embrace Jesus’s message of “Peace be with you” in all aspects of life.
Archbishop Ntagali also expressed dismay over the increased murders in the country, saying it is high time Ugandans woke up and worked hand in hand with security agencies.
Making similar calls, Kampala Diocese Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, who led the Easter Sunday mass at Rubaga Cathedral, called upon Christians to unite against terrorism. “Murders have become the order of the day, I pray and extend my condolences to those who have been killed such as prosecutor Joan Kagezi and those killed in the terrorist attack in Garissa in Kenya,” Archbishop Lwanga said.
The Katikkiro of Buganda, Mr Charles Peter Mayiga, who attended the mass, reiterated Archbishop Lwanga’s message on terrorism. He, however, added that the police and Judiciary need to be streamlined in order to achieve the rule of law.
“We have to uphold the rule of law on which the Judiciary and police are founded. Those who bombed football fans in 2010 have never been tried. This destabilises the rule of law. If police and the judiciary are not fixed, we are likely to get more problems,” Mr Mayiga said.
Vice President Edward Ssekandi, said Christians have faced many challenges during the fasting period, citing the killing of the late Kagezi and students at the University of Garissa
He also appealed to Ugandans to participate in the forthcoming general elections, starting with the registration process kicking off tomorrow with the display of voters’ register.
The clerics calls for security vigilance comes at a time when there is a spate of high profile murders by shooting in the country. Just last week, Joan Kagezi, a senior principal State Attorney, was gunned down in Kiwatule Trading Centre, a Kampala suburb by two assailants, who had been trailed her on a boda boda.
Sheikh Abdul Qadir Muwaya, leader of Uganda’s Shia Muslim community, and Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga, were also shot dead by men on motorbikes in two separate incidents in December last year. Gunmen also tried to kill a third cleric, Sheikh Haruna Jemba, in January.

Reported by Stephen Kafeero, Joseph Kato, Farahani Mukisa, Emmanuel Ainebyoona, Issa Aliga, Felix Warom Okello, Clement Aluma, Richard Otim, David Mafabi & Julius Ocungi

Easter messages from other parts of the country

Acholi

While delivering his Easter sermon at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Gulu Town, Gulu Archdiocese Archbishop John Baptist Odama, condemned last week’s killings of 147 students at Garissa University in Kenya by the Somali-based Islamic extremists al-Shabaab.
“This is a total inhumane act on fellow human beings, the killings may be good to the attackers (al-Shabaab), but before the eyes of the almighty God, who created human beings, they have sinned,” he said.
Bishop Odama, who also condemned the killings of Muslim clerics in the country, said the world must stand up against terrorists and the crimes they commit for peaceful coexistence.
He also condemned the war in South Sudan.

Bugisu

In Mbale, religious leaders made a joint call to the police and army to respect humanity. In his Easter message, Mbale Diocese Bishop Patrick Gidudu said Christians ought to use Easter season to pray for the nation and seek forgiveness. “It is written in the Book of Proverbs that it is righteousness alone that exalts a nation. Let us love one another just like Christ loved us.”
The leader of Impact ministries, Pr Patrick Okabe, said it was high time the leaders led by example and repent, seek God, strive for forgiveness and renew their spiritual lives in order to create peace for development in Uganda.
Pastor Andrew Mutengu of Word of Faith Ministries asked the law enforcement officers not to abuse their offices.

Teso

In Teso sub-region, the forthcoming 2016 general elections and world peace dominated the Easter prayers with several preachers calling for tolerance in the face of political differences. The sermons also contained condolence messages to the bereaved families of the slain Garissa University students in Kenya.
At St Stephen’s Church in Kumi, Bishop Thomas Edison Iregei called for tolerance to divergent political views in the 2016 polls. He asked Christians who will be contesting to emulate Jesus Christ’s humility and virtues. The parish priest Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Soroti, Fr Francis Kayaye, said Easter celebrations are the foundation of Christian faith and the birth of new hope in life.

West Nile

While preaching at Ediofe Cathedral on Easter Sunday, Bishop Emeritus Fredrick Drandua of Arua Diocese asked Christians to use the Easter season to renew their faith in God. “We should endeavour to give time for prayer, however little it may be because God listens. The resurrection of Jesus signifies hope and that is why we should use this time to renew our faith and stay in communion with Him.”
At Christ the King Church in Arua, the Curate, Fr Geoffrey Edami, said families should use the Easter season to have joy and peace. The deputy speaker of Arua District Council, Ms Christine Debo, urged Christians to be security conscious in the wake of terrorist attacks, citing the Garissa University attack in neighbouring Kenya.

Ankole

Provincial Secretary Church of Uganda Amos Magezi asked Christians to repent and avoid hatred and greed. “If you hate your colleague, then forget about going to heaven,” the Rev Magezi said.
Mbarara Archdiocese Archbishop Paul Bakyenga challenged farmers to take advantage of the current rains to plant enough food.
Preaching at St Mathew Cathedral Kyamate, the Bishop of South Ankole diocese Rt Rev Nathan Ahimbisibwe called for involvement of religious leaders in the fight against violent extremism.
MPs Yona Musinguzi Bikwasizehi (Ntungamo), Gerald Karuhanga (Youth Western) and Naome Kabasharira (Ntungamo Woman) called for the end to terrorism acts, saying the perpetrators are misguided.

Couples cautioned
While preaching at Kitovu Cathedral, Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa of Masaka Diocese cautioned those seeking marriage in Holy Matrimony to select their marriage partners very carefully to avoid disappointment and marriage breakups.
Bishop Kaggwa said many marriages are going through a lot of hardships because couples made the wrong choice for spouses.

[email protected]