Luweero Youth 'Crucified' In Good Friday Procession

A born-again Catholic youth in Luweero yesterday offered himself to be beaten, soaked in mud and carry a heavy wooden cross, on which he was later tied, during a two-hour procession to commemorate Jesus' crucifixion. Frederick Kiwanuka reports that Patrick Mutagubya (pictured left), a student of Emmaus Centre, a Catholic training institution near Wobulenzi town, was also adorned with a mock crown of thorns. Believers first undressed him of his red paint-drenched clothes before they tied him on the cross. Mutagubya, a first year student, said he wanted to be treated like Jesus Christ when he was being taken for crucifixion at Gologotha on Good Friday. Some of Mutagubya's fellow believers, who acted as soldiers, whipped Mutagubya throughout the procession. Often he would stagger and fall. The procession, which started at Kasana Catholic Cathedral and ended at St. Mark Anglican Cathedral, was jointly organised by the Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox churches. Mutagubya attracted hundreds of residents to the procession. Many were amazed by the young man while some were moved to tears. Bishop Evans Kisekka of the Anglican Church and Cyprian Lwanga of the Catholic Church led the procession. The two bishops called upon Ugandans to forget their differences and unite for the good of the country and humanity. They challenged Christians to emulate the selfless love which Jesus brought to the world by allowing himself to be crucified. Ends