| KAMPALA
AS CHRISTIANS celebrated Easter yesterday Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala said in his Sunday sermon that his heart bleeds whenever he thinks about the malpractices and violence that marred the February general elections, which returned President Museveni.
"I thank those Ugandans that stood to be elected at various levels. Some made it while others did not but I thank you all although my heart bleeds when I look at incidences of malpractices and criminal acts that occurred during elections," he said to hundreds of Christians at Lubaga Cathedral.
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| GOD BLESS YOU: The Cardinal with Mutagamba at Lubaga yesterday. Photo by Wandera w’Ouma |
He said some of the perpetrators of the malpractices were Christians, which dented the image of the Christian church. The elections were found by the Supreme Court to have been neither free nor fair. The Court also ruled that they were not conducted according to the law and that there was massive disenfranchisement of voters by removing their names from the voters’ register.
"The President (Museveni) has always told us that we are backward and what we witnessed during elections confirmed that we are still backward,'' the Cardinal added.
He, however, commended Ugandans for remaining calm during and after elections. "We are peace loving people and I have always urged Ugandans to remain calm," Wamala said.
President Museveni was declared winner of February 23 elections with 59% of the vote against Kizza Besigye's 37%. The combined score of the three also-rans was less than 4 %. Besigye, however rejected the results and opted for legal redress.
Supreme Court justices on April 6 upheld President Museveni's re-election victory, which extended his 20-year rule but roundly concurred that the February 23 elections were neither free not fair. They also ruled that the electoral Commission failed to comply with law.
The cardinal yesterday also warned candidates who returned unopposed, saying they shouldn’t boast. He said returning unopposed simply demonstrates that such areas lack groomed leaders. "What if that person (unopposed candidate) dies what happens next," Wamala asked.
He commended Christians for fasting during the 40 days lent period and called on married people to remain faithful to their spouses.
Wamala after the prayers hosted VIPs at his residence.
The mass was attended by among others the Minister of State minister for Water Ms Maria Mutagamba, Busiro East MP Joseph Balikuddembe and Bukoto South MP Matia Nsubuga among others.
Mbale
The Bishop of Mbale Diocese Samuel Wabulaka in his sermon called upon rebel leaders Joseph Kony of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and Alice Lakwena to repent and get saved. Preaching to Christians at St. Andrews Cathedral in Mbale, Wabulaka said peace would prevail in Uganda only if the two rebel leaders turn to God. He criticized Lakwena for demanding compensation from government yet she has committed a lot of atrocities.
"I cannot imagine that a person who has committed atrocities is asking for compensation instead of repenting. Let us all pray for these rebels to get saved so that government can save the money spent on fighting in the north," he said.
Lakwena has asked government to pay her Shs 312 million for her cattle and houses - she claims were destroyed.
At All Saints Cathedral, Christians were urged to break the walls of disunity threatening the different Christian denominations.
In his Easter Sermon, the Arch Bishop of the Church of Uganda, the most Reverend Henry Luke Orombi said that upon his resurrection, Christ confirmed to all that believe in him that they belong to one father, one God. "There are no Pentecostals, no Presbyterians, no Methodists, no Baptists; we are all one; children of God," Orombi preached.
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Orombi, mid last week, preached the same message to Born Again Christians at the Kampala Pentecostal church where he was a guest for the special pre-Easter Prayers.
The Easter Sunday service at All Saints Cathedral was attended by a multitude of Christians, among them the army commander Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, FDC leader Dr Kizza Besigye and the UPC leader, former first lady Mama Miria Obote.
At Namirembe cathedral, Bishop Balaggade Sekadde asked Christians to live faithfully. "Jesus died on the cross for us sinners and because he had faith, he resurrected," Sekadde said.
At Makerere University, the catholic Chaplain Rev Fr Lawrence Kanyike said Christians should forget earthly things and focus on life after death if they are to create an impact like Jesus Christ did after death.
Makerere University guild president elect, Mr Gerald Karuhanga used the Easter festivals to call for forgiveness from the First Family.
"I ask for pardon where I wronged the First Family and be given a chance to serve Makerere Students. The First Family is using its power and influence to deny students an elected leader," he said.
At Christ the King Church, Rev Deacon Peregrine Ntsinda asked Christians to draw life and encouragement from the resurrection of Jesus. He said Christians should avoid hatred and discrimination, adding that every believer should see something good from people, even those with whom they have particular differences.
BY AGNESS NANDUTU, EMMA MUTAIZIBWA, TIMOTHY OBOTH, EMMA MASUMBUKO, MERCY NALUGO ROBERT MWANJE & SIMON KASYATE | 
