Repent, Archbishop Lwanga tells church raiders

Aug 14, 2020

St Peter’s Church, Ndeeba was demolished on Sunday night following a protracted land ownership dispute.

The Archbishop of Kampala, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, has condemned the people who demolished the Anglican St Peter's Church in Ndeeba.

Dr Lwanga, the chairperson of the Uganda Joint Christian Council, said the people behind the demolition should repent for bringing down the house of God.

"This portrays a bad image. They have to repent," Lwanga said during a requiem mass for the late Charles Bernard Mbaziira at St Peter's Church grounds, Nsambya on Tuesday.

The requiem mass was held outside the church to ensure social distancing in accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines.

Lwanga added that such misdeeds could be because of the lockdown and argued that the Government should consider opening up the places of worship. "Government should allow people to go back and praise, people need to go back to their churches," he said.

DISPUTE

St Peter's Church, Ndeeba was demolished on Sunday night following a protracted land ownership dispute.

Several Police officers and a senior KCCA official have since been arrested. Dr Lwanga praised Mbaziira for the services he offered to the Catholic Church and the country.

Mbaziira was a resident of Kabalagala in Makindye division, Kampala. "On behalf of the Kampala Archdiocese and bishops, I send my condolences to the wife, Matilda Namutebi, the family and relatives," Lwanga said.

He revealed that Mbaziira would have been a Papal Knight, but he declined the accolade due to his humility.

"Some people could be wondering why the Church did not recognise Mbaziira. The truth is, he declined being appointed a Papal Knight, saying that would require him to stand up for long as a soldier," Lwanga explained.

Mbaziira was buried at the St Peter's Nsambya cemetery in recognition of his service to the church. His late father and mother, Joseph Ssenyonga and Maria Nambooze, were also buried at the same cemetery for their selfless service to the church.

The requiem mass was attended by, among others, retired bishop of Masaka, John Baptist Kaggwa, Secretary of Episcopal Conference Msgr John Baptist Kauta, Msgr Charles Kasibante, chancellor of Kampala Fr Dr Pius Male and scores of priests and nuns.

Also in attendance was finance minister Matia Kasaija, state minister for education John C. Muyingo, Centenary Bank managing director Fabian Kasi, former Katikkiro Joseph Ssemwogerere and other personalities. Kasaija informed the mourners that President Yoweri Museveni had pledged to send the family sh10m as condolence.

He said Museveni knew Mbaziira but was unable to attend the burial due to other state matters. Mbaziira was a long-serving member on several committees of Kampala Archdiocese and the Uganda Episcopal Conference.

He was board secretary of Nsambya Hospital for about 30 years and served on governing bodies of several Catholic Church-founded schools.

Mbaziira died aged 83 on August 8 at St Francis Hospital Nsambya after suffering a stroke, according to acting medical director of Nsambya hospital, Dr Peter Ssekweyama.

Mbaziira was also hailed for his service to Buganda Kingdom and his clan, Nakinsige, where he held various responsibilities.

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