Clergy call for calm over land

By Vision Reporters

RELIGIOUS leaders have appealed for calm and dialogue among stakeholders in order to solve the current misunderstanding over proposed amendments to the land law.

In separate Christmas day sermons delivered in different churches across the country, the clergy called for restraint and appreciation of divergent views to forge consensus.

At Rubaga Cathedral in Kampala, Archbishop Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga advised the Government to consult all stakeholders on land.

“I thank the President for going to Gulu to meet the elders and telling them that they should discuss land issues among themselves and get back to him. That was a good thing, which he should do elsewhere. If you are a father, you treat your children equally.

“We as Church have also got land. But we have not been consulted yet. All stakeholders should be consulted,” Lwanga added.

“The Government cares for the common man and so does the Buganda government care for bibanja holders. All sides should listen to each other.”

The Vice-President, Gilbert Bukenya, speaking at Rubaga said since we are in a world of diversity there would always be differences, which should be harnessed for the good of the nation.

“What the archbishop has said is correct. Let us all dialogue. Now that people are speaking, let Parliament help explain the issues to them,” he said.

At St. Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, Bishop Balagadde Sekadde appealed to the Government to quickly solve issues of land, including the proposed give-away of Mabira Forest, which he said was making its way to the press again.

“We love our natural resources and we have to protect them.”

In response, Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi said the land Bill would be published in the media so that people read it and raise their issues of concern before it goes to parliament.

Nsibambi said people should not get worried about the proposed amendments, adding that he would always stand for the common man.

The provincial executive secretary for the Church of Uganda, Aaron Mwesigye, who was the day’s preacher, told people that Christ brought light to the world and he should be the one people should look up to to solve issue like land conflicts.

At Christ the King Church in Kampala, the vicar general, Msgr. Paul Ssemwogere, urged leaders to desist from using threatening language.

“Let us pray for our political leaders so that they are not tempted to cause chaos. The language being used of recent is very tough and scaring. Such language is unchristian. We want peace, we are tired of wars. Let politicians understand that this is our country and desist from such language.”

At Nsambya parish, Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala urged Ugandans to remain calm on the land issue which he said was complicated.

Archbishop John Baptist Odama, who preached in Gulu, said greed and selfishness by the rich people were the main reasons for the rampant wrangles over land. Odama said land, which had been provided freely by God, should not cause wrangles, hatred and confusion.

He appealed to the Acholi political leaders and elders to ensure that displaced persons, returning from camps, have enough land for productive work.

At Rubaga Miracle Centre in Kampala, Pastor Robert Kayanja urged Ugandans to be optimistic.

“Your anticipation will determine your participation and your participation will determine your response. With the birth of Jesus Christ, let us anticipate good things,” he said.

By C. Musoke, J. Maseruka, N. Katende, J. Lukwago, F. Nakaggwa, J. Moro and M. Mazinga