By Juliet Lukwago
KAMPALA - The business community in St. Balikuddembe Market this week was recipient to a call by the Archbishop of Kampala to place God at the forefront of their affairs
Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga made a repeated call to the vendors of the market – popularly known as Owino – to be steadfast and united in their day-to-day activities.
Arguably the most expansive market that has lived through the years in Uganda, Owino attracts hundreds of shoppers daily and is known mostly for its second-hand goods.
Archbishop Lwanga delivered the stop-over call on his way to St Balikuddembe Shrine where he marked Ash Wednesday – the first day of Lent – with scores of Christians.
During his stop-over, he met the chairman – Godfrey Kayongo – at his office and was also briefed about the new plan of modernizing the decades-old market.
He warned the business men and women against engaging in witchcraft following complaints by some of the vendors that the practice, coupled with jealousy, featured highly among the traders.
“If you are to progress, you should stop such tendencies and practices which are primitive and [will] keep you backward.
His argument was that any individual who embraced witchcraft would be isolated by those who don’t and would not be supported in time of need.
The prelate touched on financial discipline. He told the traders to be honest and trustworthy by paying back monies they may have borrowed from friends or banks.
“Although you are of different tribes, religions and cultures you should regard yourselves as brothers and sisters whom God has brought together, so that you can work together in St Balikuddembe Market.
“Again, although some of you are more educated, you are all God’s people who are working together in this market. If you have not been working together, use this Lenten season to start working together for your progress,” he said.
The market was named St. Balikudembe after Joseph Balikuddembe, who was a Uganda martyr. He was killed at the site with his colleague Atanas Bazzekuketta.
Lwanga said the business community there should respect the ground they sit on as holy because of its historical significance.
The two saints were among the 24 others killed on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga because of their faith.
The chairman of the market thanked the Archbishop for sparing his valuable time for them and give them his word of wisdom, which he said would go a long way in shaping them and help them progress.
