'Return of ebyaffe doesn't mean to revert to witchcraft'

By Juliet Lukwago

KAMPALA - The Vicar General of Kampala Archdiocese has told Christians that the return of Buganda properties does not mean people who should turn back to witchcraft.

Msgr Charles Kasibante made the remarks during a sensitization briefing for hundreds of Christians in the on-going campaign to popularize the 22 Uganda martyrs ahead of Golden Jubilee celebrations since their canonization.

He said the cultural properties should only help people know their culture and traditions.

Mid-this month, the central government returned some of Buganda Kingdom’s property including 213 land titles.

The move followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by President Yoweri Museveni with top Buganda kingdom officials in August last year, which paved way for the return of the kingdom’s properties.

At St Andrew Kaggwa Catholic Parish, Kigoowa on Thursday, Msgr Kasibante questioned if people who worship Satan have peace in their lives.

He said the belief among some people that if they don’t embrace witchcraft that their ancestors would die is nothing but a fallacy.

“If someone comes to you telling such things just tell him or her that you know Christ is alive,” he quipped.

The vicar told of how the Uganda martyrs “listened attentively” to what was taught to them which, he said, helped them to strengthen their faith for which they suffered.

They are remembered for having been killed on the orders on Buganda’s Kabaka Mwanga for declining to denounce their Christian faith.

“As we prepare to celebrate their Golden Jubilee, it is time as Christians to emulate our brothers, the Uganda Martyrs who were killed because of their faith,” Msgr Kasibante reminded the gathering.

“Do not reply those who abuse our religion. It is appropriate for you to look at them and pray for them so that they desist from such behavior.”

He added: “The Uganda Martyrs shed their blood because of their faith and also to bring our country to be known.”

At Kigoowa, Msgr Kasibante wedded a couple, John Mary Ssebuufu and Harriet Nakiyemba, a teacher at St Peter’s Busuubuzi in Mityana, as a sign to show that also two of the Uganda martyrs – Andrea Kaggwa and Matia Mulumba – were married.

He called on others to emulate the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

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Msgr Charles Kasibante wedded a couple at the parish and called on others to emulate Holy Matrimony. PHOTO/Juliet Lukwago

The 22 Catholic martyrs were canonized by Pope Paul VI on October 18, 1964 in Rome.

Rev Fr. Joseph Mukasa-Muwonge, one of the promoters of the Uganda martyrs, described the 22 Uganda martyrs as converts, who were murdered for denouncing paganism and refusing to disown Christianity.

 “These martyrs are now recognised worldwide by the Church as being worthy of being honored to be saints,” he said.

The awareness team comprised of the pastoral coordinator of Kampala Archdiocese, Fr. Dr. Mark Richard Ssajjabi, Fr. Augustine Mpagi of Nandere Seminary in Luweero and Revocato Kalema who had been born lame, but got cured through the intercession of the Uganda martyrs in 1961.

At the same occasion, a former witchdoctor Davita Nabukalu revealed that he only used tricks by changing his voice to lure patients into his shrines and extort money from them.

There was never a cure, he confessed.

St Andrew Kaggwa Catholic Parish, Kigoowa was the 12th parish to be visited by the Uganda martyrs sensitization team.

Others that have been toured are Namayumba (where it was launched), Kankobe, Kitakyusa, Namugongo, Nsambya, Ggoli, Lubaga, Mbuya, Matugga, Kibanga, Mpigi.

The team is yet to visit other 48 remaining parishes that form Kampala Archdiocese.