President Yoweri Museveni
The New Vision – President Yoweri Museveni has urged Ugandans to refrain from religious wars which he said promote disunity which directly affects development.
“Since the National Resistance Movement came into power it has never supported religious wars. Even during the liberation struggle we had people of different beliefs including the non believers, that’s why we were able to succeed. I therefore request that you desist from such wars” he said.
The President was addressing thousands of pilgrims at Our lady of Fatima Kijjukizo Catholic Parish Church in Kabula Sub County in Lyantonde District during the celebrations of the Catholic day in Catholic Community.
The Catholic Evangelization of this area was started in 1891 by the White Fathers and suffered various religious conflicts before finally settling down with Archbishop H. Steitcher as the first pillar here in 1891 and 1939.
In 1939 – 1961, the establishment of Masaka as a distinct ecclesiastical territory under its first African Bishop Joseph.Kiwanuka started and later in 1961 the dawn of national independence, which coincided with the beginning of Bishop Adrian Ddungu’s episcopate and the introduction of Church Renewal by Vatican II.
Invoking a Luganda proverb kabbo kamuwala kagenda kajudde Kadda kajudde (A girls’ gift basket is sent full and returned full), President Museveni commended the people of Lyantonde, Rakai and Kiruhura, for their unconditional support towards the National Resistance Movement and the overwhelming votes during elections.
In appreciation he donated shs. 20 million towards the procurement of pews in the Church and pledged another shs.27 million for sanitary facilities to be used by the pilgrims.
The President also commissioned the Mugumya Remigius Memorial hall. The 350 million shillings facility was erected with the president’s support in his effort to improve education in the community.
The host Bishop John Baptist Kagwa commended the government for partnering with the church to develop the education sector through infrastructural support. He challenged teachers, parents and students to play their respective roles to ensure that academic standards in the district are uplifted.
He also requested that Kijukizo Health centre III at the Parish be upgraded to a Health Centre IV with a laboratory, surgical wing and an Anti Retrovirals (ARVS) facility. The President promised to consider the request after meeting with the technical experts to discuss the intricacies involved.
Members of Parliament including: Hon.Joseph Kakooza (Kabula),Abdul Kittata,(Lwengo) and the Woman Member of Parliament Getrude Namara among attended
