Former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) President Dr. Kizza Besigye proved he is ‘a people’s’ president at the just concluded Martyrs celebrations in Namugongo on Sunday June 3.
Besigye’s popularity was demonstrated by the considerably bigger applause he received compared to that of President Yoweri Museveni, when the announcer mentioned the two leaders’ names.
The duo attended the Church of Uganda’s celebrations at the Protestants’ site in Nakiyanja where the Kigezi Archdiocese was the main organizers of the Anglican events.
Museveni arrived at around 11pm under maximum security together with First Lady and Minister of Education Janet Kataha Museveni. He was welcomed by the Prime Minister DR. Ruhakana Rugunda
While addressing pilgrims, President Museveni urged religious leaders to help Ugandans in fighting poverty.
“Religious leaders from Catholics, Anglicans and Muslims should lead Ugandans in transforming the country although we are just visitors on this world,” Museveni added:
“The bible says, ‘you can’t light a candle and cover it with a basket. You must put it outside and let it light the whole world’ therefore we should fight against poverty within ourselves’’ added the president
Museveni pledged to support the protestants to pay up the debt they are servicing with Equity Bank. He
“We invested over UGX90bn in constructing the catholic shrine. I therefore promise you that we shall do the same this way.” Museveni thanked protestants for turning up in bigger numbers compared to recent years where Catholics have been dominating
The Anglican chief preacher Bishop William Graham from England thanked President Museveni for maintaining peace in Uganda. At the Catholic shrine, the Tororo Diocese were the major organisers. Father Emmanuel Obbo preached on the theme of “Let’s walk in the Light of God as family.”
President Yoweri Museveni met with the former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Dr. Kizza Besigye and former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and shook hands at Nakiyanja the Anglican Shrine during the Namugongo martyrs day celebrations yesterday.
