The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Rubaga, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A priest has proposed that Uganda’s first Chief Justice Benedicto Kiwanuka be canonized as a saint.
Kiwanuka was kidnapped in 1972 from his High Court Office in Kampala and reportedly murdered by the former President of Uganda, Idi Amin Dada. 50 years since his kidnap, Kiwanuka’s remains have never been located.
Fr Richard Nyombi was on Thursday speaking at Lubaga Cathedral during the first-ever commemoration service for Kiwanuka who was also the President of the Democratic Party. The theme of the celebration was: “Benedicto Kiwanuka: A prisoner and Martyr of truth and justice.
Fr. Nyombi said that there had been calls to the Catholic Church to have Kiwanuka canonized and the catholic church has heeded these calls.
According to Father Nyombi, the canonization process will kick off if people start popular pious devotion around Benedicto Kiwanuka. During the devotion time, he says people visit the tomb or home or places attached to them.
As the devotion grows with more numbers joining the devotees then the Bishop of the Diocese where the devotion is, starts an inquiry into the life of a venerated dead person and the intercessory powers of the deceased.
I officiated at the 5th Memorial Day of Chief Justice Benedicto Kiwanuka at the High Court in Kampala. I salute Kiwanuka for being forthright and truthful. He opposed chauvinism and the adoption of a tribal agenda. He wanted a national position and unity. pic.twitter.com/QDtB2tWb9f
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) September 21, 2022
Fr. Nyombi adds that whereas there are many people who have experienced intercessory powers through venerating Benedicto Kiwanuka, it is time for devotion groups to start so as to begin the canonization process. He says these can be started through what has been written on his legacy as an unshaken martyr for truth and justice.
Monsignor Prof. Lawrence Ssemusu describes Kiwanuka as a double martyr, of the catholic faith and of justice. He calls Kiwanuka a prisoner trapped by truth and justice who sacrificed his own life for the principles he held so dear.
Since 2007, the catholic faithful have held intercessory masses for the beatification of the servant of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere the former President of Tanzania. In fact, in 2009 every year on June 2nd a Mass is held at Namugongo praying for the beatification cause of Nyerere.
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