Religious freedom in Uganda excites Orthodox pope
Pope Theodore II cutting cake after leading divine liturgy at St. George and Andrew Parish in Lwemiyaga, Sembabule District on February 19,2025. PHOTO/ ISSA ALIGA
What you need to know:
- Lwemiyaga County MP, Mr Theodore Ssekikubo, also a member of the Orthodox Church thanked his father, the late Sam Mwagalwa for propagating the orthodox faith in the area where he also built a church.
The supreme leader of the Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Pope Theodore II has hailed the prevailing freedom of worship in Uganda and urged the government to maintain it, saying it fosters peace and tranquility.
He said the good working relationship among leaders of various religious denominations in the country is also another good gesture other countries must emulate.
"We are one family as people of different religious beliefs and the prevailing freedom of worship in Uganda is a clear testimony to this,'' Pope Theodore II said as he led a divine liturgy at St. George and Andrew Parish in Lwemiyaga, Sembabule District on Wednesday, February 19.
Sembabule District Chairman, Mr Patrick Nkalubo expressed happiness about the pope's visit saying it is a blessing to the community and local leadership.
''We got your blessings when you came to Uganda in 2021 and it is the reason we continue occupying our political offices. This additional blessing is going to keep us in office for another term,'' he said.
He thanked the Orthodox Church for establishing a secondary school in Lwemiyaga County and also requested for a university in the area.
Lwemiyaga County MP, Mr Theodore Ssekikubo, also a member of the Orthodox Church thanked his father, the late Sam Mwagalwa for propagating the orthodox faith in the area where he also built a church.
''My father Sam Mwagarwa would have witnessed this divine visitation of Pope Beatitude Theodore II but he is already gone (dead),'' he said.
Mr Ssekikubo who is also the chairperson of the organizing committee of the Pope's visit , highlighted the significance of the visit, noting that Uganda was chosen among just three East African countries for this apostolic mission.
“The pope’s visit is a timely call for peace, and we believe it will help in healing the current divisions among the political class ahead of 2026 general election,” he said.
Pope Theodore II is in Uganda for a three -day apostolic visit which will see him attend two other religious functions. He is expected to preside over the consecration ceremonies at St. Catherine Parish in Acholi Nyeke and St. Nicholas Parish in Gulu, under the Orthodox Diocese of Gulu and Northern Uganda before visiting the Orthodox Diocese of Jinja and Eastern Uganda during his visit.
