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OPINION

By Stephen Tiberondwa Bujingo

The holy bible in Job 12:12 teaches us: “Wisdom is found with the elderly and understanding comes with long life.

The same Bible also commands us in Leviticus 19:32 to show respect to the elderly.

Those two Bible quotations came to my mind the moment I saw the administrator of the office of the national chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Hajat Hadijah Namyalo, kneeling before the 97-year-old retired Archbishop of Kampala, Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, as she received his blessing at his retirement home in Nsambya, Makindye.

According to the article in Bukedde, Namyalo paid a courtesy visit to Cardinal Wamala to deliver a special message from the national chairman of NRM, Gen. (rtd) Yoweri Museveni, who doubles as the President of Uganda.

The special message was honouring and thanking Cardinal Wamala for the dedicated, remarkable and illustrious service he has rendered to his motherland, Uganda, and the world at large in various capacities as a deacon, priest, bishop, archbishop, cardinal and senior citizen.

In her speech, Namyalo said: “It would seem unfair not to recognise Cardinal Wamala after all the years of serving God without any stain of corruption and discrimination.”

The visit also amplified the true humanity of President Museveni, considering the various gifts he donated to the cardinal and the people he lives with at his retirement home.

Honouring, thanking and celebrating the life of Cardinal Wamala when he is still alive, is what is expected from every Ugandan. Besides his an unmatched humility, Cardinal Wamala has lived a life full of remarkable achievements.

Born on December 15, 1926, he was ordained a deacon of Masaka on August 15, 1957.

In the same year on December 21, he was ordained a priest. July 17, 1981 was a day of joy for the faithful because Pope John Paul II appointed him as the pioneer bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana.

On June 21, 1988, the same Pope appointed him as the coadjutor archbishop of Kampala, meaning he was to have the right of succession once Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga retired. Definitely, he succeeded Cardinal Nsubuga on February 8, 1990.

The height of his priestly journey was when Pope John Paul II elevated him to cardinal on November 26, 1994. He was then 68 years old.

Such honour meant that he was eligible to participate in a papal conclave; a gathering of the college of cardinals convened to elect a pope.

Indeed, he participated in the papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict VI in 2005. The election took place in the Sistine Chapel, Apostolic Palace, Vatican City.

The conclave that elected Pope Benedict VI comprised 115 cardinals, and Cardinal Wamala was among the 11 cardinals that represented Africa. Asia was represented by 10 cardinals, Europe 58, Oceania 2, North America 22 and South America 12.

In light of Cardinal Wamala’s impeccable service and achievements, President Museveni and Namyalo did what is expected of prudent and judicious leaders by honouring and thanking him.

Thank you, Mr Museveni for demonstrating love for Cardinal Wamala. I also thank Namyalo for being well-mannered. In this era of moral decadence, I was pleased when Namyalo put aside her office title and status, and knelt before the cardinal as she greeted him.

The writer is a farmer and politician in Nakasongola