MPs shun peace prayer

Dec 19, 2002

Most MPs and ministers yesterday failed to turn up for inter-denominational peace prayers for northern Uganda

By James Odong

Most MPs and ministers yesterday failed to turn up for inter-denominational peace prayers for northern Uganda.

The service, organised by the deputy speaker of parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, at the parliament gardens, attracted a handful of ministers, MPs and diplomats.

Retired bishops Edward Baharagate of the Catholic Church, M. Eliphas of the Church of Uganda, pastor John Wani of the Seventh Day Adventist and the Imam of Parliament, Latif Ssebaggala, led the prayers.

Those who turned up arrived late, some hardly 10 minutes to the close of the one-hour service.

The Prime Minister, Apollo Nsibambi, famous for time keeping, arrived at 9:30am, an hour before the prayers.

Nsibambi assured Ugandans especially those in the northern region that the government was committed to ending the war.

In an emotionally charged closing prayer, Lira Municipality MP Cecilia Ogwal cried to the Almighty God to reveal himself to the President so that he can talk peace with Kony.

“We cry to you Almighty God to stretch your hands and touch President Yoweri Museveni so that he can talk peace with Kony and end the suffering of the people in the north,” Ogwal said.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});