Expedite Nebanda death investigations - Lwanga

By Taddeo Bwambale

The Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Dr Cyprian Lwanga has appealed to the Government to ensure that Ugandans have a sense of peace and secure as the world celebrates Christmas.

He noted that many people were living in fear, following the mysterious death of Buteleja Woman MP, Cerinah Nebanda, whose body was laid to rest on Sunday.

Addressing journalists at his residence in Rubaga Cathedral on Monday, Lwanga urged the Government to ensure that the truth about her death is revealed.

“I extend my condolences to the family of Nebanda. A lot has been heard about her death, but where is the truth?” he asked.

Lwanga warned that if anyone was behind her death, they should refrain from such evil acts because judgment awaited them.

Citing the fifth of the Ten Commandments in the Bible, he said it was a sin for a human being to kill another.

“If it is true that people are poisoning others, they must stop. I call upon whoever may be doing it to stop!” he stated.

“The Government should address the problem to make people secure. The truth is like a spring: you can sit on it but it always comes up,” he stated.

In his Christmas message, the Archbishop appealed to Ugandans to shun corruption and embrace reconciliation for the future of the country.

 He called on the Government and other players to mentor youth who were burdened with risks and uncertainties, noting that the future of every nation depends on the quality of its young people.

“If we want leaders who will drive our country to its pride, each one of us and all institutions must fulfill their duties and responsibilities to instill in the youth the values of love, respect, justice, forgiveness, peace, hospitality, reconciliation and concern for others, especially the least and marginalised,” he stated.

“If we do not take proper care of young people, we cannot expect to enjoy the good fruits from the tree of their adulthood,” he said.

He condemned intolerance manifested through land grabbing, high poverty levels, promiscuity and the spate of iron-bar hit men terrorizing communities.

He decried the rising HIV/AIDS infection rates in Uganda and castigated promiscuous behaviour such as casual sex, which are linked to the spread of HIV. He emphasised the church’s teaching of abstinence, faithfulness and love in the fight against the disease.

Lwanga also condemned the rampant rate of crime, citing statistics that show 251 women died from domestic violence-related crime in 2011 alone, of which only one 181 were investigated.

“The statistics are frightening. They indicate that the frequency of violent crimes against our fellow human beings is on the rise and many people feel vulnerable,” he said.

The Archbishop appealed to Christians to create time for God in their lives during the Christmas festivities.

He wished Ugandans a fruitful Christmas and said the year 2012 was significant to Uganda which was celebrating 50 years of independence, as the Catholic Church commemorated 50 years of the official opening of the time Vatican II Council.