By Florence Nangendo
Hundreds of Christians from Masaka diocese and beyond on Saturday flocked Kamaggwa village in Matale parish, Masaka Diocese to join His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala as he celebrated his 90th birth day. 

Cardinal Wamala was born to the late Cosma Kyamerakumbuzi and Tereza Namayanja Ddiini eyawula who were residents of Kamaggwa on December 15th 1926, ordained a priest on December 21st 1957, appointed Bishop of Kiyinda Mityana Diocese on July 17th 1981, then appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Kampala on June 21st 1988 and on February 8th 1999 he was elevated to the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese and on November 26th 1994 he was elevated to Cardinal and retired on August 19th 2006.

At the celebrations to mark his 90th birthday Cardinal Wamala expressed concern on the way people’s lives are not valued in Uganda basing on the wave of murders where unknown thugs attack communities after warning them with leaflets and those assassinated like the late Asistant Inspector of Police Andrew Felix Kaweesi adding that indiscipline by most people and children is another problem that has spoilt the society.

At the same function, the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Michael August Blume emphasized the significance of the family to the well-being of the Catholic Church saying it is from a well grounded family that good leaders are nurtured.

In his homily during mass, the ordinary of Masaka Diocese, the Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa decried the technological advancements that has led to abuse of God’s will to humanity citing the use of contraceptives that have negatively impacted on the teaching of the Catholic Church, and in a way deny the gift of life.

Bishop Kaggwa further challenged religious leaders to imitate his eminence the cardinal who has given a good example of a disciple of Christ who came to serve and not to be served.

President Yoweri Museveni who was represented by the vice president, Edward kiwanuka Ssekandi applauded the cardinal for his love to the church and his culture.

He said the cardinal manifested his trust in the lord when he was attacked by terrorists in 1990 he prayed and even forgave the attacker.

Museveni said, with the cardinal being one of the top leaders in his Ngabi clan is enough for his flock to understand that if culture is well understood, it does not conflict religion but helps them to reach their creator.

Ssekandi handed two envelopes one from himself and another from the president as gifts to the cardinal on his birth day.

Meanwhile, at the same function, a couple from the cardinal’s family was grace with sacrament of holy matrimony.

The function was attended by officials from the church, central and Mengo governments.

Heads of Bannakalooli Brothers, Gogonya sisters, Good Samaritan Sisters-Nalukolongo, and Bannabiikira sisters all attended the function.

Among the politicians who graced the occasion were members of parliament including, Joseph Ssewungu, Florence Namayanja, Mary Babirye Kabanda, Ssempala kigozi, and Simeo Nsubuga, plus a number of local politicians from greater Masaka.

Among the dignitaries from Mengo government was owekitiibwa Tofiiri Malokweza, and head of Buddu county, Vicent Mayiga.

Cardinal Wamala has constructed a museum at Kamaggwa that will house much of the history about him, plus that of other religious leaders who have emerged from his family.


Sunday 30th April 2017 06:28:33 AM