NATIONAL RECONCILIATION

Pastor Martin Ssempa in his summon on 13th sept. 2009 emphasized the need of a united Uganda as a response over the violence that had rocked Kampala city the previous week. The violence sparked off after the Katikiro(prime minister) of Buganda Mr. John Baptist Walusimbi was barred by the police from entering Kayunga on Thursday 10th sept.2009 for security reasons according to the police. This was in preparation for the youth annual celebrations that were to take place on Saturday that very week presided over by his royal highness the Kabaka (king) of Buganda Mr. Ronald Mwenda Mutebi. In the violence 21 lives were claimed, a score of them injured and over 500 arrested. The move by the police to barer Katikiro from entering Kayunga was seen by the Baganda as a way of undermining their Kabaka (king).

In an attempt therefore to strategically position the church as the custodian of peace and unity, pastor Ssempa approached his summon using four questions.

• What is the role of the church in resolving the problems we have in our country?
• What are the prospects for peace in Uganda as a whole?
• Are these the labor pains of God birthing something new in our country?
• Is this crisis over?
  
  Quoting Mathew 19:19, the pastor emphasized that there’s need of loving one another. “Do not judge each other on the basis of tribal differences. It is not proper to judge each other basing on the size of our nose, accent or skin complexion. God has a destiny for all Ugandans regardless of their tribes. My prayer is that all tribes may win. Baganda to win, bateso to win, bafuruki to win, banyankole to win, all to win.” Alluding to the church history, pastor Ssempa noted how the East African Revivalists like John Nagenda, Simon Nsibambi among others preached unity in 1930s. He said he desired being a pastor of a multi-ethnic church and that is who he is. “Our unity grants us our freedom – together we will always stand.” Referring to the Uganda national anthem, he reminded the congregation to go back to the aspirations and dreams of the founders of this nation had. Oh Uganda may God uphold thee…………… “Do not ask for what you can take from Uganda but what you can do for Uganda.” Pastor Ssempa urged members of his congregation. He concluded his summon by urging the members to repent on tribalism because God is not happy with that and pray for Uganda.