The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Museveni has pledged to support the Orthodox church.
On Wednesday, Museveni met a delegation from the church led by Metropolitan Makarios, Archbishop of Nairobi in Kenya who is also the caretaker of the Orthodox Church in Uganda.
Makarios replaced the late Metropolitan Jonah Lwanga, who served as Archbishop of Kampala and exarch of all Uganda in the Uganda Orthodox Church.
Lwanga who was also the Metropolitan of the Metropolis of Kampala and all Uganda, in Central Africa under the Eastern Orthodox Church of Alexandria, died early this month.
Makarios also delivered a message from the Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, Pope Tawadros II. Pope Tawadros II hailed President Museveni and the people of Uganda for the support extended to them following the demise of Lwanga.
Other members of the delegation included among others Metropolitan Jeromos Muzei, Archbishop of Mwanza in Tanzania, Bishop Silvestros Kizito of Gulu and Eastern Uganda, Reverend Father Mukiibi of Metropolis of Burundi and Rwanda, Reverend Father Kibuuka John, the Dean of the Cathedral, and Rev. Emmanuel Mbaire from Athens Greece who accompanied the body of the late Archbishop Lwanga.
The clerics noted that the Orthodox church enjoys a cordial relationship with the NRM government and deeply shares the same ideology.
“We are looking forward to possible ways of strengthening these relations further,” they said.
“We come here with much love and appreciation to you for having stood with us in these difficult days after the loss of our Metropolitan Jonah Lwanga,” their spokesperson Bishop Silvestros Kisitu of Gulu and Eastern Uganda said.
The clerics in their submission further commended the team that was delegated by President Museveni to organize the burial arrangements and included Vice President Jessica Alupo, the ICT Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi and Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka.
“The team executed their role very well and we appreciate this as the Orthodox Church,” they said.
The President acknowledged their appreciation and conveyed his profound condolences to the Orthodox Church especially the family upon the loss of Archbishop Jonah Lwanga.
“First of all, I am very sorry for the death of our brother Jonah Lwanga. It was a big loss,” he condoled. The President pledged to support the church in its development programs.
Later, Metropolitan Makarios prayed to God to give President Museveni more wisdom and knowledge to lead the country for the good of the people.
A memorial service for the late Jonah Lwanga will be held on October 17, 2021 and the Orthodox Pope Tawadros II, is expected to attend.
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