President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today joined the faithful to celebrate 100 years of St Mary’s Lubaga Cathedral in Kampala where he congratulated the Catholic community in Kampala Archdiocese and across Uganda for rhe milestone.
President Museveni noted that when Christianity came to Uganda it added value to the traditional heritage because Africans already believed in God, but Christianity strengthened ideas like resurrection and forgiveness.
The President however said that he disagreed with the teaching that compares African to birds that neither sow nor reap and advised christians to follow the parable of the talents and St. Paul’s message and emphasized that whoever does not work, should not eat and called on the people to work hard, get out of poverty, and support their families.
“I call upon you all to concentrate more on the parable of talents and the message of St Paul; whoever does not work, will not eat. My challenge to you, therefore, is to work so you get out of poverty, that you may support the church, the state and your families; this is the message I and the NRM concur with. It is the best Christian Doctrine besides one that says love your neighbour as you love yourself.” President Museveni said.
The event attracted over 5,000 worshipers, preceded by a Holy Mass led by Kampala’s Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere and present were government dignitaries led by the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja, as well as top brass from the Mengo kingdom led by the Premier, Owek Charles Peter Mayiga.
Also present were the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja and all the Bishops of the Kampala Archdiocese.
While speaking at the same event, Archbishop Ssemogerere thanked the President for continuously standing in solidarity with the church, urging that it is a testimony that faith remains a pillar in building our nation.
“We thank you for the collaborations in education and health. Many of our schools and hospitals continue to save lives and serve our people because of the environment your government provides. We also thank you for honouring this occasion and recognising the role of the church,” Archbishop Ssemogerere said.
The Archbishop prayed for the nation for peace to prevail in the election season, and called upon the youth to use their energy to build rather than break the country and also cautioned leaders to inspire unity and love for God and the country, and appealed to the government to make swift interventions in the issues of land grabbing, which he says have plagued the country.
“We draw your attention to concerns in our country regarding land grabbing. We appeal to your continued leadership and interventions so that this issue can be addressed firmly and justly,” He said.
The Cathedral was constructed in 1925 through a community effort, 48 years following the arrival of the Catholic Missionaries and Bishop Henri Streicher and Brother Cyprian oversaw the work, including training local craftsmen at a skilling centre in Kasubi.
The land on which the Cathedral was built was a generous offer from Kabaka Mwanga II to French Catholic Missionaries, also known as White Fathers and it was originally hosting a palace belonging to Kabaka Mutesa I, but was abandoned after fires razed the place.
Tne Cathedral towering on 24 pillars, the religious marvel put together by over 2.5 million locally made bricks also has a historic relevance, having hosted the African Bishops Synod in 1969.
