Msgr Katende urges Catholics to participate in political leadership

MONSIGNOR John Wynand Katende has said that it is wrong for some people to think that Catholics cannot be in leadership of this country simply because they are too humble to lead a nation. 

"Whilst it is true Catholics are known as humble people all over the world, Uganda inclusive, it is a wrong perception to conclude that a Catholic cannot be a good leader of Uganda; after all, what the people need is the proper management of the affairs of Uganda, which Catholics are capable of doing and properly too" Katende said.

Katende urged the Catholics wherever they are in the country to immediately stand up in their humble behavior, find more confidence in themselves and start vigorous participation in the struggle for leadership at all levels including that of the president.

The prelate, who is the episcopal vicar and chief spokesperson of Kampala Archdiocese, was giving a homily on Sunday during a holy mass he led to mark 59 years of Bbiina Catholic Parish since its establishment under the patronage of St James the apostle and martyr.

Katende reminded the Christians of the late Benedicto Kagimu Mugumba Kiwanuka, who was the first leader of this country after the colonialists had just left Uganda. He describing him as a man who was a staunch Catholic, but a courageous, strongest leader Uganda has ever had, who, if he had not been murdered prematurely, would have led this nation to greater heights and; would stand out quite prominently on the black continent in many aspects.

A prominent and principled lawyer, who had just been appointed Chief Justice of Uganda by Idi Amin in the early 1970s, Kiwanuka was abducted from his High Court chambers by security operatives and was never seen again. He died at the young age of 50 years. 

Msgr Katende said if Kiwanuka had been given a chance to lead this country, Uganda would be a different country. However, even though Kiwanuka was in power for only months and was ousted after being maneuvered out of his office for numerous reasons including the "marriage of convenience" of KY and UPC before realizing his full political ambitions and potential for the people of Uganda, he had shown that a Catholic is capable of prominently leading Uganda as the legacy he left behind could evidently manifest.

Katende called upon all Catholics, irrespective of sex, who feel qualified, to consider themselves great people, because they are obedient; emphasizing that obedience is a virtue of good leadership.

"Kiwanuka's leadership as a Catholic was for truth, justice, transparency, fairness and equity, which every Ugandan would love to have," Katende said.