KAMPALA – President Yoweri Museveni has hailed former Kitgum Diocese Bishop Benjamin Ojwang for restoring of peace in northern Uganda.
In a message read by Lands minister Betty Amongi Akena at Bishop Ojwang’s burial in Kitgum Town on Wednesday, the President said the deceased played a key role in Juba peace process between LRA rebels and the government of Uganda.
“Bishop Emeritus will be remembered for the eminent role he played in the restoration of peace in northern Uganda. I remember his active participation in Juba peace processes. I thank him for his contribution and cooperation towards achieving the peace we are all enjoying today,” Mr Museveni said.
“The late bishop Emeritus was an ardent supporter and cadre of the NRM. That support enabled us to concentrate on security, development and social-economic transformation,” the President added.
Bishop Ojwang succumbed to hypertension at Kiruddu General Hospital in Kampala on Monday, November 11.
Northern Uganda Diocese Bishop Johnson Gakumba, who presided over the service, urged residents to peacefully co-exist and unite.
He also lamented the practice in the African continent and Uganda in particular where people tend to care and spend more on the dead than when they are still alive. He called for the practice to end.
“That is my appeal to you the people of Acholi, because it appears we fear the spirit of the dead. That is the reason why we do everything possible to make sure that we give a good decent burial to deceased. But when he is still alive, we trample on him, we say all sorts of things, we don’t do any good thing to him,” he said.
Bishop Ojwang was laid to rest All Saints Cathedral in Kitgum Town.
