The Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga delivers a speech during the Ecumenical Public Way of the Cross. Photo by Olive Nakatudde
The Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga’s last words to the nation were full of encouragement and appeal for behavioral change.
Dr. Lwanga was found dead this morning at his residence at Lubaga, according to the Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference Monsignor John Baptist Kauta.
The death announcement comes just hours after the Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, who doubled as the Chairperson of the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) preached a message of hope for Uganda after jointly leading the Ecumenical Public Way of the Cross with his Anglican counterpart Dr Stephen Kaziimba at Namirembe on Friday.
Lwanga together with the Church of Uganda –COU Archbishop Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu and the Bishop of Namirembe Diocese Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira led Christians to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus.
At the event, Lwanga explained the importance of commemorating Good Friday, a day observed during the Holy Week preceding Easter Sunday when Jesus resurrected.
“Easter gives us a hope of restoration and it is the basis of our faith in God’s might power to bring back to life what has been snatched by the devil,” he said. “Even in the midst of death, the death of a loved one, a relative, a friend and all the consequences of there is hope for our resurrection and restoration.”
He encouraged Christians to have hope and strength as they celebrate Easter.
Archbishop Lwanga also explained the purpose of UJCC , the ecumenical organization that was established in 1963.The current membership of UJCC comprises the Church of Uganda, The Roman Catholic Church and the Uganda Orthodox Church, which together constitute about 78% of Uganda’s population.
While delivering the UJCC joint Easter message at Namirembe, Lwanga said that as shepherds and senior citizens of the country, they were deeply concerned about the actions of some security personnel in relation to the ongoing disappearance of people especially the youth.
Lwanga also noted actions of some Ugandans who have been killing innocent people. He cited the case of Musa Musasizi, the prime suspect in murder of four Kasubi women and a three months old baby.
Lwanga then appealed to Ugandans to respect life and all other human rights.
The late Archbishop also noted that religious leaders are called upon to strengthen the spiritual and moral fiber of the nation so that everybody lives in obedience to God.
“Shun violence, hatred and all other forms of immorality; we also call to lead by good example and sow seeds of justice and peace and awaken society whenever it deviates from these ideals,” said Lwanga.
He also said that UJCC was greatly concerned with matters of peace and consensus building, conflict transformation, mediation, negotiation, democracy and good governance in the country.
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