Fellow citizens, it was only recently when the NRM military dictatorship ,( of which
Bukenya is the vice President) were out in arms criticising Archbishop Odama as a
"rebel collaborator"...what has changed since then that now today Bukenya is
"lauding" Odama for his role in seeking a peaceful avenue to resolve the situation in
Northern Uganda?
Bukenya Lauds Odama Over North War
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The Monitor (Kampala)
June 4, 2004
Posted to the web June 4, 2004
Mercy Nalugo, Gerald Waluly and Samuel Wossita
Namugongo
Vice President Gilbert Bukenya has commended the Archbishop of Gulu Diocese, John
Baptist Odama's role in pushing for a peaceful end to the war in northern Uganda.
Bishop Baker Ochola, is the vice chairman of the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace
Initiative, a body seeking dialogue to end the Joseph Kony led rebel insurgency.
"I would like to acknowledge the role of Bishop Odama in bringing about peace in the
north. We pledge to collectively join traditional and religious leaders to achieve
peace in the north," Bukenya said.
He was speaking to thousands of Christians who gathered at Namugongo martyrs shrine to
commemorate the 119th year since Kabaka Mwanga killed Uganda Martyrs.
Odama has increasingly come under fire from government and military officers who
accuse him of being a rebel collaborator. He said Ugandans should appeal to martyrs to
give them courage in finding a peaceful solution to the northern war.
Odama recently won a peace award in appreciation of his efforts of bringing about
peace in the north. The Pope, in his message delivered by the President of the
Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, his eminence Cardinal Renato Raffaele
Martino asked Christians to develop a spirit of dialogue and reconciliation as a means
of solving conflicts in Africa particularly Uganda.
"Africa is full of conflicts and problems which can be solved through dialogue and
reconciliation," Martino who was the main celebrant said in his sermon. He asked
Christians to help those in need especially people infected with HIV/Aids and those
living in Internally displaced People's camps.
"There are many people who cry out for help, they need good Samaritans who can help
them overcome their problem," He said. At the Anglican Shrine, Chief Justice Benjamin
Odoki, urged Ugandans to fight pornography and political intolerance.
"We should come out as Christians to fight evil and vices such as human sacrifices,
corruption, domestic violence, pornography, homosexuality, and political intolerance,"
he said.
He assured Ugandans that the state would continue to respect and uphold freedom of
religion and worship as enshrined under Article 29 of the constitution.
He told the congregation that although the state and religion are separable, the
partnership between the two were indispensable to the development of the country.
He called upon Ugandans to emulate the saintly living of the Martyrs. He said that the
decision of the martyrs and their sacrifice changed the face of Uganda.
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"These Martyr's had little training but were committed to the cause of Christ," he
said. The Archbishop Church of Uganda Luke Henry Orombi said that the Martyrs occupy a
special affection in the hearts of Christians in this country.
Orombi applauded the determination of the Martyr's. He said that it their blood that
has made the church of Uganda. He said that few Martyr's died but the faith has grown
and spreading like a bush fire.
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This service is hosted on the Infocom network
http://www.infocom.co.ug
