New Vision (Kampala)
September 22, 2003
Posted to the web September 22, 2003
Solomon Muyita
Kampala
THE Uganda People's Congress (UPC) yesterday hijacked religious peace prayers to the amazement of the local organisers of the International World Day of Prayers for Peace.
A group of UPC members joined the procession around the Kampala streets with a banner saying, "UPC calls upon Government to abandon its war policy and embrace dialogue."
But shortly after arrival at the Constitutional Square when participants displayed their placards, the organisers could not tolerate the politicking any more and immediately ordered UPC members to fold their banner.
"This is a religious, not a political gathering. We don't want confrontations here. We are here to talk peace and we hope our brothers in that (UPC) corner, respect the organisers of this event and remove their banner," the master of ceremonies said.
After a brief hesitation, the UPC members of the Youth League, numbering about 20 and the secretary general, Jude Maginot, bowed to the demand.
Religious leaders from 11 denominations joined the rest of the world in the prayers for peace.
They asked God to guide leaders in bringing peace to the country, especially in the war-ravaged north.
The Vice President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, in a speech read by Adolf Mwesigye, the state minister in his office, urged Ugandans to support the army and the President in their effort to establish peace in the war ravaged areas in the country.
