KAMPALA-UGANDA/NEWSDAY: The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu has appealed to security forces to respect human rights and desist from disrespectful acts like the recent brutal re-arrest of Kawempe North MP, Muhammad Ssegirinya and his Makindye West counterpart, Allan Ssewanyana.
“I want to call upon people to take the message of President in his recent speech seriously. The issue of human rights should be respected and also calling upon the soldiers and security personnel to respect human beings,” he said.
He made the appeal shortly after receiving a donation of Shillings 30 million from the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among towards the payment of the debt for Church House. Ssegirinya was re-arrested from Kigo prison on Monday, shortly after being released on bail by the High court in Kampala. The same joint security team had earlier on re-arrested Allan Ssewanyana and driven him to the Special Investigations Division, Kireka.
The two are accused of machete killings in greater Masaka sub-region, which have claimed close to 30 people. Archbishop Kaziimba says that the President’s message on respect for human rights needs to be respected by everyone in order to ensure a peaceful nation.
In regard to the Church House debt fundraising, Kaziimba said that Shillings 1.4 billion has so far been raised since the campaign was launched in June. He appealed to all faithful’s to contribute towards the cause, noting that he was optimistic that more people would donate money since places of worship have now opened
The Deputy Speaker, Anita Among said that her contribution is to show solidarity with the Church and that more contributions would be made.
COU asked each Christian to contribute at least Shillings 60,000 towards clearing that debt of Shillings 48billion accruing from the constriction of Church House, which is found along Kampala road. Equity Bank extended a loan of Shillings 41 billion to COU towards the construction of the 16 storied building. The bank currently demands Shillings 40 Billion Shillings while other debtors demand Shillings 8 Billion.
Kaziimba says that completing the debt will help the Church in its self-governance drive. In 2017, Equity Bank threatened to take over the structure valued at Shillings 58.8 Billion upon completion. In 2018, the Bank again threatened to auction the building after the Church failed to service its loan and accumulated arrears.
To construct the building, Christians and well-wishers contributed about Shillings 10.8 Billion through fundraising but since the money was inadequate, the Church acquired a loan from Equity Bank through its business arm, the Church Commissioners Holding Company Limited in 2010.