MBARARA – Mbarara Catholic Archdiocese has donated 833 bags of maize grain (posho) to the Mbarara District Covid-19 Taskforce.
Archbishop Paul Bakyenga on Friday, April 17, handed over the donation to the taskforce team headed by Lt Col James Mwesigye, who is also the Mbarara Resident District Commissioner.
Addressing journalists in Mbarara Town after the donation, Archbishop Bakyenga said the archdiocese would have given more but they are also constrained.
“We have managed to bring a few bags of posho (maize flour) because
you know my priests have 63 parishes, I do not know what is happening
in those parishes. Some of them also are hard up,” he said.
“The people who give
a collection on Sunday to support the work of the church are no longer
coming so at least what they have, let them use it at home but here in
the town and at diocesan level, we said let us support the president
in this appeal he has made. I have already seen on TV the number of
local donors which is a very good sign because what this disease is
telling us, you must real learn to support each other.’’
The Archbishop said since the extension of Lockdown, many people are starving.
‘’When time to stay at home was extended, knowing what I have been
seeing in our people most especially here in the town, single parents
with one or two children in school now they are home and for some of
these people home is not home they are renting premises in the town
,narrow premises. When you say stay at home some of our people here in
town in these misigo (rented small rooms) you find that during the day
the bed is the sitting room, that is where they cook that is where
they sleep and that is where they are supposed to stay the whole day
for two months and the most difficult thing is the food,” Archbishop
Bakyenga said.
He also urged people not to give up on helping others.
‘’It is very easy to be selfish to think that you are the only one
suffering but there are many more people suffering and if we can
support each other it is the appeal I give to people. Do not count
your charity by how much you give, give your charity and count what
has remained for you,” he said.
He added ‘’How much have you given and how much have you retained for
yourself? Continue to give until, Pope Francis says if you are going
to be charitable, give until you feel the pinch then you know you have
given something that is valuable. And I think if the people can take
these messages and help each other it is good.’’
