BY Daniel Mumbya: Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu has called on Ugandans to stop killings and embrace peace, saying the blood of Jesus Christ was sufficient and no more blood should be shed. “Jesus’s blood is enough,” Kaziimba said, condemning the killing of fellow human beings and urging those involved in violence to abandon the vice.
The Archbishop made the remarks on Thursday during prayers commemorating Bishop James Hannington at Kyando in Bukatuube Sub-county, Mayuge District. The event marked 141 years since the Anglican missionary was killed on October 29, 1885.
Kaziimba also urged the government to expedite consideration of a proposal to declare Hannington Day a national public holiday, saying this would enable more Christians to participate in the annual commemoration. Bishop Hannington, an Anglican missionary from England, was killed in 1885 after travelling through Busoga towards Buganda. His death remains a significant event in Uganda’s Christian history, with the annual prayers at Kyando bringing together Christians and political leaders to honour his legacy.
Meanwhile, the government has pledged to develop the historical site into a tourism destination, raising hopes for economic opportunities for surrounding communities. State Minister for Lands and Housing Persis Namuganza, who represented the Minister for Ethics and Integrity, said the government was committed to supporting the annual commemoration and developing the site for the benefit of local residents.
Namuganza said a committee had been established to plan the development, adding that the government intended to invest in the project to enable residents to earn income from visitors. She expressed optimism that Kyando would undergo visible transformation by the following year as the plans progressed.
The proposed development is expected to boost religious and historical tourism while creating business opportunities for local communities. Minister in Charge of the Presidency Milly Babalanda, who represented President Yoweri Museveni as chief guest, urged religious leaders to encourage their followers to engage in income-generating activities.
Babalanda said the President had consistently emphasised improving household incomes through agriculture, information and communication technology, industrialisation and tourism. She encouraged young people to use digital skills to secure employment opportunities with employers abroad without necessarily leaving Uganda, while promoting small-scale industries to create jobs locally.
“President Museveni has put an emphasis on household income, so that everyone has money in their pockets and everyone has good health. As we remember Bishop Hannington, we should remember that our life still continues besides challenges,” Babalanda said.
The commemoration also comes amid concerns over the future of residents on the disputed Bukaleba land, with local leaders seeking clarification on the status of land reportedly earmarked for resettlement under a 2010 government directive. Authorities have been urged to engage affected residents and their leaders to resolve the dispute while balancing community welfare, conservation and tourism development.