Faith of Unity, Catholics fight over over P.7 candidates’ prayers
The fight started on Tuesday (October 12) at around 10:00am as Rev. Fr. John Baptist Abigaba of St. Mary’s Kagadi catholic Parish in Hoima Diocese was praying for the pupils at Kateete Primary School, prompting parents who belong to the Faith of Unity movement to invade the school with sticks and withdraw their children.
It is alleged that Fr. Abigaba arrived at the school to pray for the primary seven pupils and bless them ahead of their examinations. The incident angered candidates, who belong to the Faith of Unity movement, who reportedly refused to attend and began running away. Their parents, who were nearby, intervened, escalating the tension further.
KAGADI - A fight broke out between the Faith of Unity religious movement and Catholics over who should pray for primary seven pupils at Kateete Primary School in Kagadi District.
The fight started on Tuesday (October 12) at around 10:00am as Rev. Fr. John Baptist Abigaba of St. Mary’s Kagadi catholic Parish in Hoima Diocese was praying for the pupils at Kateete Primary School, prompting parents who belong to the Faith of Unity movement to invade the school with sticks and withdraw their children.
Parents who belong to the Faith of Unity movement led by Owobusobozi Bisaka accused the school’s headteacher, Rosemary Kabonesa, and Fr. Abigaba of forcing their children to pray with catholic candidates during dedication prayers ahead of the Primary Leaving Examinations scheduled for November 3 and 4.
It is alleged that Fr. Abigaba arrived at the school to pray for the primary seven pupils and bless them ahead of their examinations.
Alice Clare Aliganyira, the Inspector of Schools for Buyaga East, intervened to calm down the situation. However, the confrontation eventually escalated into a scuffle, with parents exchanging blows that left some of them nursing injuries.
"I condemn this act. Kateete Primary School is a government school that was founded by the Catholic church. The school is expected to be non-discriminatory on religious grounds. It was quite absurd to invade the school instead of seeking legal procedures to resolve the conflict,’ said Aliganyira.
Beatrice Mbabazi, the Kagadi District Education Officer, condemned the act, saying government schools are all-inclusive and non-discriminatory where there is freedom of worship.
‘’I studied at a Seventh-day Adventist university, yet I was a staunch catholic, but I do not remember any day when we shunned prayers organised by pastors at the university. We could freely join our fellow Seventh-day Adventist students for prayers and other programmes organised by their church. People should learn to co-exist irrespective of their religious affiliations,’’ advised Mbabazi.
Kusima Kisembo, one of the parents who belong to the Faith of Unity movement, said they strongly oppose their children being compelled to participate in catholic church prayers, arguing that doing so violates their Faith beliefs.
Akileo Mugambe, a teacher at the school, argued that parents who are unwilling to comply with the school rules should take their children elsewhere or establish their own schools.
Edward Kikomeko, the Kagadi sub-county chairperson, condemned the practice of forcing pupils to participate in religious worship against their beliefs.