Kaziimba receives heroic welcome in Madi-West Nile Diocese
Christians and Muslims lined the streets to welcome the archbishop, who is on his final pastoral visit to the diocese ahead of his retirement next year.
The celebrations were further energised by Arsenal fans, who donned the club's jerseys in solidarity with the Archbishop, an ardent Arsenal supporter. (Photo by Robert Adiga)
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Business came to a standstill in Arua city as the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Most Rev. Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, made a triumphant entry into the Madi-West Nile Diocese.
Christians and Muslims lined the streets to welcome the archbishop, who is on his final pastoral visit to the diocese ahead of his retirement next year.
The celebrations were further energised by Arsenal fans, who donned the club's jerseys in solidarity with the Archbishop, an ardent Arsenal supporter.
The procession was later joined by hundreds of pupils and students from several nearby schools in the city.
Kaziimba thanked the diocese for the warm reception and called on the people of West Nile to turn their unity into development.
Students and bodaboda riders joined the procession to welcome the archbishop in the Madi West Nile Diocese. (Photo by Robert Adiga)
The archbishop's leadership was praised by Rev. Denis Adoroti, the parish priest of Nyadri Urban Parish in Maracha Archdeaconry.
“It is a memorable day for us as a diocese, and we have enjoyed his ministry in the years he has served with a lot of dedication, and the jubilation here is a sign that he has served us very well,” said Adoroti.
Jane Jendia, a Mothers' Union Christian from Koboko Archdeaconry, also applauded the Archbishop's humble leadership.
Mvara Secondary School student Santos Ereci described the occasion as a lifetime experience.
Meanwhile, Muslim Arsenal fans also joined the celebrations.
Reyma, an Arsenal fan, said she was very happy to have been part of the welcoming and would donate an Arsenal jersey to the archbishop.
Likewise, Ahmed Hawa, a Muslim, also enjoyed the celebrations, saying Arsenal had united Muslims and Christians and that the celebrations had been amazing for all denominations.
The Archbishop began his official pastoral activities on Sunday with the commissioning of Christ Church Ediofe, followed by the blessing of the Golden Jubilee office and is scheduled to lead a prayer service at the cathedral.
Earlier, Rt Rev. Charles Collins Andaku, the bishop of Madi-West Nile Diocese, encouraged all Christians to take part in welcoming the archbishop. He also highlighted the archbishop's various achievements amid the challenges the Church and country have faced, including COVID-19.
The organising committee for the farewell tour in Madi-West Nile has budgeted sh90m for various activities during the two days the archbishop will spend in the diocese.