The organizers of the Africa and Madagascar Episcopal Conference Symposium (SECAM) were caught off guard by the early arrival of President Yoweri Museveni at Rubaga Cathedral on Sunday.
The president arrived in Rubaga around 8:40 a.m. ahead of the mass of 10:00 a.m. and early in the morning. There was no one to receive him as he marched silently with a few bodyguards through the half-empty church. The church hall and testing facilities were still being set up by a number of organizers.
He was never noticed by journalists too, as many were still installing their devices at required points of view. The unusual early arrival of Museveni was noticed by Rev Fr. Joseph Ruzindana, one of the day’s ceremonial masters, who immediately alerted colleagues and the congregation
Rev Ruzidana later linked the president’s surprise arrival to Jesus’ second arrival. For almost all occurrences and functions in Uganda (sometimes as early as 8 hours), Museveni is a perennial latecomer.
“I think that’s how Jesus will come when nobody is expecting. He will come like a thief in the night, is wise that we stay prepared all the time,” Fr Ruzindana said, sending the president into laughter as he waved to the congregants.
Nearly twenty minutes later, a few prelates led by the archbishop of Kampala, Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, arrived to welcome the president before leaving the church. Mass later began at 10:13am and Museveni asked to speak to the congregants before the beginning of the mass
Museveni questioned the church in his address to involve parishioners in the creation of riches in order to promote growth and increase living standards on the continent.
Museveni observed that Africa is undoubtedly doing well spiritually than any other continent in the globe where, he said, the flock and shepherds seem to have lost focus and permitted evils such as homosexuality to enter the church
“I’m very glad that spiritually Africa is doing much better than other continents. Other continents are in deep spiritual crisis and I don’t have to go to the details. When somebody can get to a situation where they can’t tell a difference between a man and a man, then you know there is a very serious situation there.” said Museveni.
He added that despite the spiritual development of Africans, the continent is still locked up in enormous poverty, which must be controlled by political and religious attempts and forces. Museveni claims that while Africa has a large land mass and a large population compared to the United States of America, its productivity rate is too small as many individuals have been stuck in subsistence agriculture over the years.
The president emphasized that the poverty of the continent’s individuals is hurting the state and the church in equal measure as it is hard to preach to the needy. He claims he has always noted that many still have nothing to give to their God while providing to the church.
More than 300 African Catholic Bishops are in Uganda for the 18th Plenary Assembly and the Golden Jubilee, which will run until 29 July, under the theme: Church- Family of God in Africa, celebrate your Jubilee! Proclaim your Savior Jesus . Museveni purchased all the robes for over 300 attendees to wear.
The plenary at Speke Resort Munyonyo will discuss how far the Church in Africa has come in its evangelizing mission, according to the Uganda Episcopal Conference.
The Assembly’s discussions will reflect on the new pastoral objectives for the Church in Africa by analyzing SECAM’s path and giving perspective in terms of pastoral priorities as to where the Church in Africa should be in the next 50 years.
SECAM was set up out of the desire of the African Bishops who attended the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) to set up a forum from which the Church in Africa could talk with one voice on local and universal Church issues. The concept was realized during Pope Paul VI’s visit to Uganda in July 1969.
