UPC pays tribute to environmental champion Pope Francis

_______________________

The Uganda People's Congress (UPC) party has hailed the late Pope Francis for promoting environmental protection and advocating for the needy and marginalised.

“The Pope has lived a full life and left behind a very rich legacy that shall continue to touch our hearts and minds," said UPC spokesperson Sharon Arach.

The Argentine pontiff, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.

He was laid to rest in Rome on Saturday, after which the formalities to elect his successor will begin.

After thousands of people had viewed his body lying in state in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican until Friday, around 250,000 people, including world leaders and royals, attended Pope Francis' solemn funeral.

Addressing a weekly press conference at the UPC headquarters at Uganda House in Kampala on Wednesday, Arach condoled with the Catholic fraternity in Uganda and beyond.

Pope Francis was a renowned environmentalist who openly voiced the need to protect the natural environment and its resources.

“As we speak, both the Amazon forest, Congo forest and Mabira forest in Uganda, which have a great contribution in the production of oxygen and rainfall, are under direct threat from man's unfriendly activities like excessive cutting of trees for charcoal, firewood and timber," said Arach.

She said this must stop, saying what is needed is extensive re-afforestation to restore and protect the environment.

In the same spirit, UPC urged the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) to make electricity more affordable to all Ugandans as a viable alternative.

"The Holy Father was a great crusader for social justice who spearheaded the global Catholic movement for peace advocacy," said Arach.

"We appreciate his words of wisdom, actions and deeds which always filled our hearts with compassion and gratitude."

In April 2019, Pope Francis kissed the feet of South Sudan's previously warring leaders, Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, at the Vatican as he urged them not to return to a civil war.

"As UPC, we continue to pray for the success of all peace initiatives to stabilise both Sudan and South Sudan as well as other African countries whose peace is at stake," said Arach.

"Pope Francis exhibited the power of reconciliation, which would lead to true dialogue as we put an end to violence in all its forms.

"He worked towards the protection of refugees as well as reaching out to those living in the margins of our society while encouraging the poor to have a special position in the church."