PRAYERS IN UGANDA NEED THE BACKING OF ACTION

While many of us believe in prayers making miracles, we jointly have to back the prayers with action. If it is exposing the wrong people in society for example the thieves however big they seem to look we ought to do it. If it means better laws, the Parliament as the third arm of Government must wake up to the task, not to wait for bribes by the powers that be.
William Kituuka

Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi greets Minister Sam Kutesa’s wife after the Christmas service at All Saints Cathedral in Nakasero as Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, the army commander (L) and Mr Kutesa look on. Photo by Stephen Otage
By Monitor Team

Posted Tuesday, December 27 2011 at 00:00

As hundreds thronged various churches to celebrate Christmas Day, religious leaders across the country centred their sermons on the hard times the country is currently going through and called for God’s intervention to save the economy from crumbling.

Namirembe Diocesan Bishop, the Rev. Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira, in his sermon said the country has, in the course of the year, faced numerous challenges of inflation, demonstrations, child abuse, murder and domestic violence that have stirred people’s lives.

“We need Jesus, who is a master planner and builder, whose love is unconditional and the prince of peace to be born in our country for a prosperous and bright future,” Bishop Luwalira prayed. The Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Dr Cyprian Lwanga Kizito, said Christmas comes at a time when the country is faced with a number of challenges.

Some of the challenges he outlined include loss of family values, increasing poverty caused by the rise in prices for most of the commodities, land grabbing, uncontrolled road accidents and domestic violence.

Calling for unity
While at Rubaga Cathedral, the main celebrant and also Kampala Auxiliary Bishop, the Rev. Bishop Christopher Kakooza, urged leaders not to discriminate against their subjects. “Leaders should be seen treating every one equally,” he told the congregation, which included vice President Edward Ssekandi, former vice president Gilbert Bukenya and MPs.

During the same mass, Mr Ssekandi, who addressed the faithful for the first time since his appointment as VP, commended the church for its support to government, especially in the education and health sectors.
Mr Ssekandi said government also intends to introduce higher education support fund to save parents from the escalating university fees.

According to the VP, beneficiaries will strictly be students in higher institutions of learning and will be obliged to pay back after school when they start working. He said the government will also provide capital for graduates to start up their own businesses instead of turning into job seekers.

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, told believers to lead a courageous life in 2012 if they are to hope for many blessings, saying that 2011 was a year of mixed blessings riddled with good and tough times.

At All Saints Church in Kampala, Orombi also told leaders to first seek for spiritual guidance from God when discharging national duties so as to avoid traps that can mess them up. At Watoto Church, Pastor Joshua Mugabi urged the faithful to take stock of their lives and discover their purpose in life.

Likening Christians’ lives to the 2011 presidential campaigns where there were many people whose roles were never understood, he challenged them to avoid following suit. At Christ the King church, Parish Priest Gerald Kalumba urged Christians to do away with rejecting Christ if they are to have a better country that is sin-free.

While in Luweero, Bishops Paul Ssemogerere of Kasana-Luweero Diocese and Evans Mukasa Kisekka warned of political rifts and corruption in the country.

Reported by Mercy Nalugo, Robert Mwanje, Flavia Nalubega, Ephraim Kasozi, Flavia Lanyero, Stephen Otage, Lydia Namono and Dan Wandera

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com