Orthodox Church reminds Museveni of financial pledge

The Orthodox Community in Uganda has reminded President Yoweri Museveni to fulfil his financial pledge towards the construction of the Uganda Orthodox Cathedral at Lubya in Rubaga division, Kampala.

In May last year, while presiding over celebrations to mark 100 years of the Orthodox evangelical mission in Uganda, Museveni pledged sh300m towards the sh17b project, but gave a cash advance of sh30m, Uganda Orthodox Church Archbishop Yona Lwanga said.

He said the President also pledged sh80m towards the church members' Savings and Credit Co-operative Society (SACCOS) and another sh20m towards the clergy's SACCOS.

Lwanga, who said it was a requirement for all priests to pray for the President and the entire Government, said he last voted in 1980, but he was disappointed with the poll's outcome and lost interest in elective politics.

POLITICAL POWER

Lwanga was speaking to Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) national vice-chairperson for the central region and state minister for tourism, when he paid a courtesy call at the Orthodox Church's headquarters at Namungoona, Kampala on Friday (September 11).

Speaking in ‘parables', the 77-year-old prelate said it was improper for political leaders to assume they possess absolute power over everything and referred to tyrants during the Idi Amin regime, who he said, oppressed people.

"We appeal to you to avoid tendencies of going overboard with your power. Remember that God is final in everything," he said.

He added that the Church was involved in a number of development projects, but they decided not to publicise their work.

He complained about what he termed ‘government bureaucracy' after the Uganda Revenue Authority allegedly refused to release a container with materials needed for the construction of the cathedral, which he said were a donation from Romania.

Lwanga added that despite writing a letter to the President seeking his intervention, the container was still being held by the customs authorities, which he said had forced the donors to recall it.

The Vicar General, the Rev. Fr. Paul Mutaasa and the Rev. Fr. Dr. Nicholas Bayego said despite having a number of educated members, the NRM government had sidelined the church and not even a single member has been appointed to any position, including that of the resident district commissioners.

Mutaasa said non-representation in government prevents the Orthodox community from having its voice heard. "We pray for the NRM leaders but you don't want to share the national ‘bread' with us. You should remember us when allocating the many cabinet posts and other positions," Fr. Bayego said.

He asked the NRM government to fulfil the pledges they made. Nicholas Katamba, the area Local Council chairperson, said the Orthodox community has a number of people who qualify to serve in the Government but no one had been appointed to any senior position in the last 30 years.

Kiwanda said he would forward their reminder of the pledge made by the President when they meet Monday (September 14) during a cabinet meeting.

FRESH START

He pledged to start afresh and correct all the mistakes committed in the past, saying the NRM has always sought blessings and prayers from the Orthodox community and still needs them as they go into next year's general election.

The tourism state minister asked the community to support the NRM presidential flag-bearer, Yoweri Museveni and pray that he wins the coming election and continues to lead the country wisely.