Museveni asked to forgive Besigye
Jan 01, 2006
BORN-AGAIN Christians have asked President Yoweri Museveni to forgive Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate, Col. Kizza Besigye (right), who is in Luzira prison on treason and rape charges.
By Joyce Namutebi
BORN-AGAIN Christians have asked President Yoweri Museveni to forgive Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate, Col. Kizza Besigye who is in Luzira prison on treason and rape charges.
The appeal was made by the senior pastor of Victory Christian Centre Church, Ndeeba, Dr. Joseph Serwadda, in his address to thousands of born-again Christians who filled Mandela National Stadium, Namboole for the Passover Festival on the New Year’s eve on Saturday.
Flanked by his wife Freda, Serwadda, the convener of the festival, said there were “sensitive†issues he was going to tell the people, which he had nursed for weeks. Quoting the story of the prodigal son in the Bible, Serwadda said, “We all love to make mistakes but it’s not easy to make us to say ‘I’m sorry’. People do not repent even if they are guilty.â€
“I’m asking His Excellence to forgive Kizza Besigye,†he said, amid shouts of Alleluia and Amen from the capacity crowd. He asked Museveni to forgive Besigye, saying he was the master and Besigye, the servant, who would never be above him.
Seated at the podium for VIPs and pastors was Gen. Elly Tumwine, who chairs the General Court Martial trying Besigye.
Tumwine launched Serwadda’s book titled Victory and what it takes. Tumwine and his family also entertained the Christians in a song titled Who is my Neighbour?.
Amid thunderous applause, Serwadda said when Jesus was being nailed to the cross, he asked the Father ‘to forgive them’. “Give this man (Besigye) a new year gift of forgiveness,†he pleaded.
Serwadda said he had seen the regimes of former president Idi Amin and Milton Obote, but that the amount of work Museveni had done was beyond measure.
Portraits of the five presidential candidates for the coming elections were placed on chairs at the platform as the congregation stretched their hands towards them and prayed that God help voters choose the right one.
Flags representing all the districts of Uganda were raised high as Christians prayed for the country.
Present was the Nnabagereka, Sylvia Nagginda and princess Katrina Sangalyambogo. Nagginda praised God for seeing them safely through the old year and prayed that 2006 remains a peaceful and happy new year.
Presidential candidate Dr. Abed Bwanika used the opportunity to campaign for himself when given an opportunity to say a word. This was contrary to earlier announcements that presidential candidates would not to be allowed to address the congregation.
Quoting the Bible, Bwanika said, “The man of Jericho came to Elisha and told him our land is good but it is barren. Our problem is water. Elisha asked for a new vessel with salt.â€
Bebe Cool was among those who entertained the people. Local and international preachers fed the people on the word of God and prayed for their ailments and poverty to go.
Drums were sounded, and all instruments played as people welcomed 2006 waving white envelopes that contained their appreciation to God and prayer requests.
People used the opportunity to make money by selling a variety of items outside the tightly-guarded stadium.
The items included cooked food, caps, sweets and popcorn.
Pastor Robert Kayanja said he was glad Uganda had decided to go forward when some donors cut off aid. He said God had earlier confirmed to him that one of the presidential candidates would quit the race.
The overseer of the Born-Again Churches, Apostle Alex Mitala, asked the Government to waive the registration of their churches as NGOs.
He urged Christians to contest for political office and asked the Baganda to repent their sins and stop witchcraft.
BORN-AGAIN Christians have asked President Yoweri Museveni to forgive Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate, Col. Kizza Besigye who is in Luzira prison on treason and rape charges.
The appeal was made by the senior pastor of Victory Christian Centre Church, Ndeeba, Dr. Joseph Serwadda, in his address to thousands of born-again Christians who filled Mandela National Stadium, Namboole for the Passover Festival on the New Year’s eve on Saturday.
Flanked by his wife Freda, Serwadda, the convener of the festival, said there were “sensitive†issues he was going to tell the people, which he had nursed for weeks. Quoting the story of the prodigal son in the Bible, Serwadda said, “We all love to make mistakes but it’s not easy to make us to say ‘I’m sorry’. People do not repent even if they are guilty.â€
“I’m asking His Excellence to forgive Kizza Besigye,†he said, amid shouts of Alleluia and Amen from the capacity crowd. He asked Museveni to forgive Besigye, saying he was the master and Besigye, the servant, who would never be above him.
Seated at the podium for VIPs and pastors was Gen. Elly Tumwine, who chairs the General Court Martial trying Besigye.
Tumwine launched Serwadda’s book titled Victory and what it takes. Tumwine and his family also entertained the Christians in a song titled Who is my Neighbour?.
Amid thunderous applause, Serwadda said when Jesus was being nailed to the cross, he asked the Father ‘to forgive them’. “Give this man (Besigye) a new year gift of forgiveness,†he pleaded.
Serwadda said he had seen the regimes of former president Idi Amin and Milton Obote, but that the amount of work Museveni had done was beyond measure.
Portraits of the five presidential candidates for the coming elections were placed on chairs at the platform as the congregation stretched their hands towards them and prayed that God help voters choose the right one.
Flags representing all the districts of Uganda were raised high as Christians prayed for the country.
Present was the Nnabagereka, Sylvia Nagginda and princess Katrina Sangalyambogo. Nagginda praised God for seeing them safely through the old year and prayed that 2006 remains a peaceful and happy new year.
Presidential candidate Dr. Abed Bwanika used the opportunity to campaign for himself when given an opportunity to say a word. This was contrary to earlier announcements that presidential candidates would not to be allowed to address the congregation.
Quoting the Bible, Bwanika said, “The man of Jericho came to Elisha and told him our land is good but it is barren. Our problem is water. Elisha asked for a new vessel with salt.â€
Bebe Cool was among those who entertained the people. Local and international preachers fed the people on the word of God and prayed for their ailments and poverty to go.
Drums were sounded, and all instruments played as people welcomed 2006 waving white envelopes that contained their appreciation to God and prayer requests.
People used the opportunity to make money by selling a variety of items outside the tightly-guarded stadium.
The items included cooked food, caps, sweets and popcorn.
Pastor Robert Kayanja said he was glad Uganda had decided to go forward when some donors cut off aid. He said God had earlier confirmed to him that one of the presidential candidates would quit the race.
The overseer of the Born-Again Churches, Apostle Alex Mitala, asked the Government to waive the registration of their churches as NGOs.
He urged Christians to contest for political office and asked the Baganda to repent their sins and stop witchcraft.