KAMPALA – The Parish Priest of Kireka Parish in Kampala Catholic Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Matiya Mulumba Sseremba, has urged opposition leaders to continue defying what he described as oppressive laws against the democratic rights of Ugandans.
Speaking on Sunday during homily ahead of fundraising for the construction of St. Balikuddembe Community Catholic Church in Kitto, Kirinya, Bweyogerere, Fr Sseremba said leaders like Dr Kizza Besigye are justifiable to resist such law through his defiance campaigns and urged Christians to join him if they feel their rights are being abused.
“Defiance on its own is not illegal, as long as you are defying illegal orders. So we have legitimately defied some people and we went on to host our guests. We must know our rights and fight to defend them. It’s your duty to defend your rights and refuses to be oppressed,” he said.
“We see people being oppressed and we choose to keep quiet because it doesn’t concern us. As a church, we shall not be silent about oppression. So obey good laws and resist/defy the bad orders. If they start blocking people coming to church and we keep quiet tomorrow, the same people will block your guests at home because Col. Kizza Besigye is a guest,” he added.
Opposition leaders are currently facing trouble with police over the Public Order Management Act (POMA). Under POMA, anyone seeking to hold a public gathering must inform police in writing. However, police have always dispersed rallies organised by FDC and other political rallies even when the latter have informed the Force in writing.
And Fr Sseremba said the Act only targets leaders who are opposed to the government and urged citizens to oppose them as they will soon be victims of the law.
“What would happen if Besigye’s son Anselm is going to marry your daughter and they tell you that you cannot organise an introduction because Besigye is part of the entourage? Be careful,” he said.
Dr Besigye, accompanied by area MP (Kiira Municipality) Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda were in the congregation.
