Bishop Ssemwogerere condemns Besigye confinement

The Luweero Catholic Bishop, Paul Ssemwogerere has said that the government move to subject former FDC presidential candidate Kizza Besigye to house arrest is comparable to a fighter who bites an opponent whom he has already wrestled down.

Ssemwogerere who on Sunday slammed what he called the torture of political opponents saying it is an unfair game.

"I hear some people who were defeated in the elections are being tortured. Why bite an opponent whom you have already wrestled down. It is unfair," Ssemwogerere said during celebrations to mark the 19th anniversary which were held at Kasana-Luweero Cathedral in Luweero town.

Ssemwogerere who called for tolerance among political leaders, condemned election malpractices that have characterized the general elections, like voter bribery and vote rigging which he said enabled some politicians access office unfairly.

Bishop Ssemwogerere chats with believers after the mass at Kasana-Luweero Cathedral on Sunday. Photo by Frederick Kiwanuka

"I know there are many politicians who won by rigging. Some of them could be among us here," he said while addressing believers who came from the districts of Luweero, Nakasongola and Nakaseke.

Present were the education state minister and Bamunanika MP, John Muyingo, Luweero LC5 chairman elect Ronald Ndawula and the Luweero district woman MP elect, Lillian Nakate.

Muyingo who was the chief guest urged Ugandans who are well off to help those who are living in destitution in order to alleviate their plight.

Muyingo noted that the spirit of helping the disadvantaged members of society had died out among Ugandans with many vulnerable people languishing in misery countrywide.

The minister who is funding a bursary scheme for over 2,000 poor students in his Bamunanika constituency, noted that many children of school going age countrywide are roaming in villages for lack of school fees yet there are many Ugandans who are swimming in luxury.

The Kasana-Luweero Catholic diocese which is comprised of the districts of Luweero, Nakasongola and Nakaseke was created in 1997 with Semwogerere being the second Bishop of the 19 year old diocese after taking over from Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga who is now the Kampala Archbishop.