RELIGION | 

The split in the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) has widened after the Church of Uganda shunned the joint peace prayers.

Kampala Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga and the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Orthodox Church, Jonah Lwanga, yesterday expressed surprise at the decision of their Anglican counterpart, Dr Stephen Mugalu Kaziimba, to shun prayers for peace, ahead of next week's elections.

The three-day prayers kicked off on Monday at the Uganda Martyrs' Shrine in Munyonyo and were yesterday held at the Orthodox Church, Namungoona.

However, on both occasions, Archbishop Kaziimba did not show up or send anyone to represent him.

The prayers were to be concluded today at Namirembe Cathedral. However, authorities at Namirembe cancelled the event.

During the second prayer day, Metropolitan Archbishop Jonah Lwanga and Archbishop Kizito Lwanga said the three of them agreed to hold the three-day prayers, but Kaziimba did not attend the fi rst two sessions.

"The three of us came out with different dates, but Kaziimba told us he would not be available. We asked him to suggest other dates and he picked Monday, January 4. So, we agreed to start at Munyonyo, then go to Namungoona and close at Namirembe," Kizito Lwanga said.

"Surprisingly, he has told us not to go to Namirembe tomorrow," he said. 

The two prelates made the comments while addressing the congregation at Namungoona. The prayers and fasting are being held under the theme, "Peace depends on us all (building peace in Uganda at all levels).

The UJCC was founded in 1963 by Archbishop Dr Joseph Kiwanuka of the Catholic Church, Archbishop Leslie Brown of the Church of Uganda and Archbishop Theodorous Nankyama of the Orthodox Church.

Kizito Lwanga said he was disappointed by Kaziimba because he had an excellent relationship with his (Kaziimba's) predecessor, retired Archbishop Stanley Ntagali. He, however, said the last prayers will be held today at Lubaga Cathedral.

Kizito Lwanga noted that as elections draw closer, it is important to pray to God for peace.

Namirembe responds

Contacted yesterday for a comment on the matter, the chaplain of Archbishop Kaziimba, the Rev. Johnson Kansiime, said: "His Grace got other ministerial errands within the province, which demanded his attendance.''

Asked why the Archbishop did not delegate someone to represent him, Kansiime stated: "Our offices were closed. So, there was no one to delegate. He could have delegated the provincial secretary, but he went for Christmas."

Sadiiki Adams, the Church of Uganda provincial spokesperson, also said Kaziimba had other engagements, which included prayer sessions.

New Vision learnt that Kaziimba yesterday presided over the memorial service for the late Archbishop Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo at Namugongo.

Differences between Kaziimba and Kizito Lwanga first emerged when Lwanga issued a statement under UJCC, calling for postponement of the January 14 polls. Kaziimba disowned the proposal.