Alupo hosts Archbishop Kaziimba

Vice-President Jessicca Alupo on Sunday evening hosted Church of Uganda Archbishop Dr Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu at her home in Katakwi district.

Kaziimba, who is in Soroti Diocese for a five-day pastoral visit, received an invitation from Alupo for a courtesy call. Katakwi district is part of Soroti Diocese.

“I would have loved to attend a service on Monday at St Paul Katakwi, but because I will be chairing Cabinet, I decided to request Papa Archbishop to pay me a courtesy call,” Alupo told New Vision.

Vice-President Jessicca Alupo pose for a group picture with the Archbishop’s team.

The Archbishop is today (Monday) visiting Amuria Archdeaconry in the morning and concluding in Katakwi archdeaconry.

"I appreciate the acceptance of the Archbishop to come and pay me a courtesy visit. It is a very big honour and privilege for my family," a happy Alupo, who was with her mother, said.

She hailed Kaziimba for his commitment to serving people without discriminating and his role as the chairperson of Inter Religious Council (IRCU) of fostering unity among religious grouping in the country.

"You have demonstrated that working together as humanity is a priority and an agenda that should be pursued by all of us as a country, emulating our motto: For God and My country," Alupo said.

Religious institutions, Alupo said, have been at the centre of socio-economic transformation in very many institutions such as health and education. 

"I'd like to thank you very much, on behalf of [the] Government for this symbiotic relationship," she said,

The Archbishop on his part reiterated the Church's gratitude to the Government and the President for the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023.

"This is about protecting our children. The Church is very grateful that we can partner with the Government to ensure that African values, biblical values and natural order are kept,” Kaziimba said.

Cattle rustling

Alupo revealed the Government’s commitment towards addressing cattle rustling that has continued to affect border districts.

Even with the disarmament exercise that saw over 40,000 guns recovered from Karamoja over a decade ago, the neighbouring districts of Teso, Lango and Sebei regions have continued to witness instability as Karamojong continue to raid and kill innocent people.

“Cattle rustling is being handled by the government and will be expeditiously dealt with,” Alupo said.

Before the Archbishop met Alupo, the Teso leaders had requested him to pray for the people in the border districts with Karamoja who are suffering due to the continuous raids.

“Pray for our uncles (Karamojong) to stop raiding us and as you visit the vice President, kindly inform her to address the issue for the safety of her people,” Paul Omer, the mayor Soroti city east, said.

Recently, Karimojong warriors raided close to 100 cows from the sub-county of the Vice-President called Ongongoja

Several innocent people including the army officers have lost their lives to the rustlers.