Dialogue, not lethal weapons will solve Uganda’s problems- Bishop

By Valerian Kkonde

PEARL NEWS SERVICE

The bishop of Arua diocese, His Lordship Sabino Ocan Odoki, has urged Ugandan leaders to resort to dialogue so as to solve the pressing concerns of those they lead.

Bishop Odoki sounded this warning during his homily at the Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine- Namugongo- to hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who turned up to honour the 22 Catholic martyrs.

“Uganda is known, worldwide, as a beautiful country, for its hospitality and the Martyrs. Unfortunately, it is also known for the turbulent political history. Even today Uganda still suffers from tribal and political conflicts.

 Instead of using teargas and other lethal weapons, dialogue will be the best.”

Every June 3, hundreds of thousands of believers flock to Namugongo to honour the martyrs executed between 1885 and 1887 on the orders of Ssekabaka (late king) Basammula Mwanga. Namugongo used to be a dreaded place; Buganda kings used it as an execution ground. That is how the Catholic and Protestant converts ended there.

On October 20, 2011 there will also be a pilgrimage to Paimol- Kitgum district- to honour Uganda’s two other blessed martyrs: Daudi Okello and Gildo Irwa. They were catechists. They were speared to death in 1918. The now Blessed Pope John Paul 11 beatified them on 18^th October, 2002.

Miraculously, the 22 Catholic martyrs were executed separately from the 23 Anglicans. Next to the Anglican shrine, 72 Muslims were killed for refusing to eat meat slaughtered by non Muslims. Former president, the late Idi Amin Dada, constructed a mosque at the site in their honour. That is all about these Muslims.

Referring to the unity and courage of the martyrs as the role model, Bishop Odoki called upon the pilgrims to emulate them and to be courageous amidst the challenges that face them. He warned the pilgrims against valuing life to the extent of losing God the ultimate prize.

“Unwavering strength in suffering is visible in the life of our martyrs Karoli Lwanga and companions and the blessed Gildo Irwa and Daudi Okello. If they defended their faith to death, how about us in Uganda today?”

Ugandans today are faced with challenges similar to those of their ancestors in faith. Government is completely oblivious of the needs and suffering of the people they lead. When people come out to express their grievances, the rulers respond with lethal weapons. At least ten people have been murdered by the government as they opposed Museveni’s autocracy.

“We need to look at the nation as one body; when one part of the body is ill, the whole body suffers.

“We need more courageous youths, parents, political and cultural leaders now than ever before. We want leaders to provide role models. We do not want to ruin the country.”