Archbishop Kaziimba cautions against land grabbing

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The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu has warned Ugandans involved in land grabbing especially church land saying that they are risking God’s wrath.

“Don’t steal God’s land. You are fighting God to contend with you. Those in charge of Church land put it to good use,” Kaziimba said.

This was during the 47th anniversary commemoration of St. Janani Luwum Day.

The function took place at Luwum’s burial site at Wii-gweng Village, Mucwini Parish in Kitgum District on February 16, 2024.

The day is in honour of the 2nd Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga-Zanre. Luwum was brutally murdered by the late President Idi Amin in 1977.

Kaziimba blessed and commissioned the St Janani Development Committee led by Canon Justice James Ogoola. “This is a service but you are dying so that this place is developed. We are calling for Faithful, Available and Teachable (FAT) people to serve in developing this place,” he said.

Lamwaka Margaret Odwar (Chua East Kitgum District, NRM) thanked the Church for enabling the people of Kitgum to own the event.

“The Karimojong cattle rustlers are still threatening this area. The elephants from Murchison Falls National Park are destroying food crops of the communities near the park, we need help on these elephants,” Odwar said.

Commenting on cattle rustling, the minister for internal affairs Kahinda Otafiire said that the long-horn Ankole cattle should be taken and put as bait between the Acholi region and Karamoja region. Otafiire explained that the long-horn cattle cannot trek for long distances. According to Otafiire when the Karimojong cattle rustlers steal these cows, they will be caught red-handed. He said Banyankole never used to eat fish but when he grew up I realised it was a backward practice and now he eats fish, eggs, and mutton.

He thanked Uganda People’s Congress president James Akena for returning from exile in Zambia. “I told him we are working with people who have shot at us, yet you have not shot at a moving vehicle, where it is written that Milton Obote’s son cannot come to Uganda,” Otafiire said.

Michael Okwii Esakahn the second Bishop of Kumi Diocese described Luwum as a 21st Century martyr. “We thank the government for standing firm against the coercion on homosexuality. Let us not misuse the freedom of worship in the country to mislead others,” Okwir said.

Kitgum District LCV Chairperson Christopher Arwai said they were inspired by the life of the late. “This is historic for global communities. It is a day to honour speaking and dying for the truth and being resilient, we are proud of the late for giving his life to bring change,” Arwai said.

The choir, local band, and traditional dancers performed music from the classical music repertoire, which spanned from the medieval era to the present popular music.

At the end of the service, Acholi traditional songs were played that got the congregation dancing. Nearly a hundred pilgrims who trekked from the region received blessings from Kaziimba.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).