Charles Ssebyala, the head of Laity at Our Lady of Fatima Queen of Peace Cathedral, said that it was unbelievable to see their Bishop leaving but they will remain grateful to God for his contribution to the diocese.
There were
tears of joy this morning as the Rt Rev Paul Ssemogerere crossed over to Kampala Archdiocese after shepherding
Kasana-Luwero
Diocese for 13 years.
The
Archbishop-elect left Our Lady of Fatima Queen of Peace Cathedral in
Kasana-Luwero Diocese at 06:57 a.m. and embarked on his journey to Kampala
Archdiocese.
Driving in a Toyota
VX registration number
UAU 192B, Ssemogerere
arrived at
Lumansi swamp near Matugga, which
borders Kampala Archdiocese and Kasana –Luwero around 7:41 am.
He emerged from the car and was ushered into a
tent where the Kasana Luwero Diocesan Chancellor, Cyril Kasigwa asked the Vice General of Kasana- Luwero Diocese, Monsignor Francis Xavier Mpanga to officially
hand him over to
Rev. Fr. Pius Male Ssentumbwe, the
Chancellor of
Kampala Archdiocese.
Kasigwa said they were thankful for his service in
Kasana-Luwero Diocese and prayed that God continues to bless him in Kampala
Archdiocese.
//Cue in; “Mukaseera kano...
Cue out...Kampala Archdiocese."//
The Rt Rev Paul Ssemogerere received a flower
and a bible from Rev. Fr. Pius Male Ssentumbwe to welcome him into Kampala
Archdiocese. He prayed
for Kasana –Luwero Diocese before being led into
another vehicle
registration number UBK 979Y where he was driven by
the Papal Knight Joseph Yiga to Lubaga Cathedral for his installation as Kampala Archbishop in a procession amidst tight
security.
There were mixed emotions among Christians
from Kasana-Luwero Diocese as they watched Ssemogerere exit the Diocese. Charles Ssebyala, the head of Laity at Our Lady of Fatima Queen of Peace
Cathedral, said that it
was unbelievable to see their Bishop
leaving but they will remain grateful to God for his contribution to the diocese.
//Cue in; “Embeera eriwo…
Cue out…amusobozesa.”//
John Baptist Mpiima, the Head of Liturgy at Kasana-Luwero Diocese, said they will miss Ssemogerere for his exemplary leadership and the pastoral visits he made to the homes of Christians.
He revealed that Ssemogerere
will be remembered for elevating four churches into parishes, establishing a
cooperative union, Bishop Annual Fund, and changing the lives of many Christians
through developmental projects during his tenure in
the diocese.
Erastus Kibirango, the LCV Chairman of Luwero district said
Christians will miss his love towards them and are now worried about how they will live without him.
//Cue in; “Tulina kyetulina…
Cue out…gyabadde atukolamu.”//
Robert Ssekitoleko, the Bamunanika County Member of Parliament
said they will continue seeking
guidance and support from Ssemogerere
despite his elevation. Ssemogerere
was also emotional and he was seen looking down as he asked God’s blessing in his new journey as
Archbishop.
While
their colleagues from the Luwero-Kasana diocese looked sad, thousands of the faithful from Kampala Archdiocese waved palm trees, tree branches, and beat drums as they lined in trading centres
from Matugga town to Lubaga Cathedral to welcome him.
At 9:00 am, Ssemogerere arrived at Lubaga Cathedral ahead
of his installation as Kampala Archbishop
to replace the Late
Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga.
