Christians celebrate Good Friday

By Chris Kiwawulo and Norman Katende

HUNDREDS of Christians yesterday commemorated the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.

Led by the clergy from different churches in Kampala, they walked to Nakivubo Stadium, to celebrate Good Friday.

Carrying crosses, over 10 groups of people emerged from different directions and prayed about the increased suffering and abuse of children.

The theme of the event organised by the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) was “Children are in danger. Must you not care?”

Kampala Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga appealed to the Government to tighten its grip on people who abuse and sacrifice children.

“It would be good to table the issue of child abuse and sacrifice in Parliament for a law to stop this evil act,” he proposed.

Lwanga condemned embezzlement of public funds, saying the vice had escalated due to loss of conscience among Christians.

“If someone steals chicken worth sh5,000, he is easily convicted as a thief, but if a public official steals sh200m, they say that is corruption. That is a big thief!” he stated.

He noted that some Christians practice paganism alongside Christianity because they have lost the voice of God in their hearts. “Jesus Christ died for our sins. If we should wholly accept Jesus Christ as our saviour, we shall be free from human regulations,” he argued.

Lwanga asserted that Good Friday is heroes’ day for all Christians. “Human beings change but Jesus is a hero who does not change forever since he shed his blood for our sins.”

He said ‘the way of the cross’ is a journey of faith where Christians appreciate Jesus Christ for his sacrifice to human kind when he accepted to be crucified for our sins. Meanwhile, in his Easter message, Namirembe Cathedral vicar, Rev. Can. Augustine Musiwufu, has called upon Ugandans to desist from degrading the environment.

Musiwufu said it was sad that people are only focusing on Mabira while other wetlands are being encroached on.

“The wetlands are used to sieve the impurities out of water so that we get clean water and if they are destroyed, we will not have pure water. At this rate (of natural resources destruction), the country that we once knew as our motherland will be no more,” he said.

On Sunday, Christians will celebrate Easter.