Joyce Namugambe
The orthodox church of Uganda has celebrated the life of the Late Archbishop His Eminence Metropolitan Jonah Lwanga who died on 5th/09/2021 after along time illness, and was laid to rest at St. Nicolas church in Namungoona.
While preaching to the christians who attended the memorial service at St. Nicholas Orthodox church in Namungoona, the Archbishop of the Orthodox church His Eminence Leronymos Muzeeyi commended the Late Archbishop for being a good example to the church and the country at large through speaking words of democracy which he preached to the church and to the country at large.
He added that the Archbishop wanted to see equality among people in the country without leaving anyone behind which should be taken as an example to the leaders who are in different leadership positions.
The chief guest, and Bishop of Gulu Bishop Nectarous Kabuye appealed to people in the country to take the example of the Late Archbishop through sticking on the truth, faithfulness, advocating for equality, and proper communication if they are to maintain harmony among people in the country.
However, he urged people to groom their children in their culture so that they grow up knowing where they belong. He commended Buganda kingdom for the Kisakaate initiative under the Nabagerereka of Buganda Her Royal Highness Sylvia Nagginda, which he says has helped to train children in different cultural aspects that they miss from their parents and at school.
The Vickar general of the Orthodox church in Uganda Fr. Kibuuka Bbosa commended the Late Archbishop for the great leadership skills he excuted during his service and mentioned that the same memorial service is to be held on Sunday 10th September 2023 in Degeya in memory of the life of the Late Archbishop Jonah Lwanga.
The member of parliament for Lwemiyaga County Theodore Sekikubo suggested that 5th September every year should be celebrated every year in memory of the life of the late Archbishop. He commended the government of Uganda for standing with the church during the time of sending off the Archbishop’s body, but challenged the president of Uganda to fulfil the promises he made to the orthodox church through the meetings he had with them.
Among the promises include the orthodox church sharing the same national cake like other religions interms of appointment, land compersation, he promised construction of a cathedral at Lubya, to handle the enchroanchers who occupied the lubya church land, among other promises he made to the orthodox which until now have not yet been fulfilled.
Hon Sekikubo noted that the Late Archbishop loved the church and the country at large since he spoke for all people, he therefore suggested that Mps, politicians, fellow ugandans, people in power and people in goverment should consider comemorating the life of the Late Archbishop Jonah Lwanga for the great work he did during his service just as Bishop Janan Luwum is celebrated. He says this should be fulfilled through making 5th/09 every year apublic holiday
The Mp for Baamunaanika Hon Robert Sekitooleko stated that if people can emulate the late Archbishop through standing for the truth, the country will be filled with harmony. However, he showed concern over the greed among people in power who only look at themselves but not minding about the well being of the country.
Woman Mp for Kalangala Allen Nakimuli noted that the country is going through hard times of corruption, poverty and high cost of living and these are the things that the Late Archbishop was against, through talking about them and seeking for better conditions in the country. She appealed to all religous leaders to stand firm and talk about the issues that affect people without fear, just as the Late Archbishop used to do.
On behalf of the Mpeewo clan to which the Archbishop belonged, the clan spokesperson Evelyn Nakiryowa also added her voice on commending the Late for speaking the truth which saved the souls of people from evil. However, She expressed concern over the increasing evil deeds going on in the country noting the bombs saying, it puts the lives of people in the coinytry at risk, thereby asking people to pray for the country.
The late Archbishop His Eminence Metropolitan Jonah Lwanga was born in 1945. He completed his education from 1952- 1964 in Bulemeezi. He was ordained a Deacon in 1981, and ordained a priest on 1982. He has served as the Archbishop of kampala and Uganda for 26 Years since his ordination in 1997. He died in 2021.
