Joyce Namugambe
The official program for the celebration of the 30th Kabaka’s Anniversary started with prayers in different religions, thanking God for the gift of life He has granted His Majesty the king of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi the II.
On Friday 28th July 2023, the Muslim fraternity around the country engaged in these Thanksgiving prayers and on Saturday 29th July 2023, the Seventh Adventists around the country did the same. And today 30 July 2023, Christians around the country including the Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox have also prayed for the King during their respective services.
At St.Nicholas Orthodox church in Namugoona, while leading the thanksgiving service, the Archbishop of the Orthodox church in Uganda His Eminence Metropolitan Leronymos Muzeeyi commended the King for His great leadership to His subjects, and above all championing the health well being of the people around the country, through spear heading the fight against fistula in women, sickle cells in children, COVID 19 in all Ugandans and AIDS, through calling upon men to lead the fight to reduce on the spread of AIDS since they are the leading actors in the spread of the virus.
He pledged on behalf of the Orthodox church under the church department that fights AIDS called the Uganda Orthodox Church care for HIV AIDS to continue working together with the Kabaka to help sensitize the public about the dangers of AIDS and how they can protect themselves against the virus.
His Eminence has extended gratitude towards the cooperation between the Orthodox church and the Kingdom of Buganda, in all the church activities and the Kingdom programs, commending the Kingdom Antony General and minister of local government Owek. Christopher Bwanika, for turning up in Orthodox church functions. However, he reported to him the land encroachers who are occupying the Orthodox church land that was give to the church by the Kingdom, yet they claim to have documents, which has affected the church constructions to continue.
The Cathedral Vickar Father John Kibuuka Bbosa has expressed his Love for the King and the Kingdom at large, and cautioned believers to be careful with people who discourage them from respecting their Kingdom, claiming that cultural practices are satanic. He argued them to take example of their founders such as Sparta who loved his king whole Heartedly.
The Buganda Antony General and minister of local government in Buganda Kingdom Owek Christopher Bwanika has pledged to look through the land conflicts concerning the Orthodox church, and promised to put things right.
He added that the Kabaka recieves and welcomes all people irrespective of their tribes, but only people who disrespect the Kingdom are the only ones that are not welcomed in the Kingdom.
While reading the Katikkiro’s speech to the congregation, The Katikkiro urged people in Buganda to love, respect and support their clans to help bring out cultural norms for the development of the kingdom, and that’s why His Majesty the King chose this year’s coronation will be celebrated under the theme “Support our clans, Strengthening the throne”.
