God can hear our prayers from anywhere — Museveni

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday encouraged Ugandans to continue praying from home as the country battles Coronavirus.

In his martyrs’ day message, Museveni said the country would continue seeking God’s protection in the fight against Covid-19.

“God can hear our prayers from anywhere and His blessings upon our lives are boundless (Psalms 139:7-8). Let us continue worshiping from our homes.

“We continue to lift our nation in prayer and ask for God’s protection of all Ugandans against COVID-19,” he tweeted.

Museveni did not attend the celebrations at Namugongo but lauded the Uganda martyrs for their unwavering faith.

The martyrs were a group of 23 Anglican and 22 Catholic converts to Christianity who were killed between 1885 and 1887 after orders from Buganda King Mwanga II.

Back home, the debate on whether to reopen churches or not has gathered pace and various leaders have asked the government to fast-track consultations.

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen on Tuesday wondered why churches are yet to be re-opened yet some leaders were meeting.

In a somewhat veiled dig at the country’s leadership, the senator used the example of the Jubilee Parliamentary Group Meeting that was held at State House and was chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Murkomen said that if such a meeting was arranged and social distancing was adhered to, then the same should be extended to churches and other places of worship.

“212 politicians assembled today in SH to do their thing with masks and social distance.

“How is it impossible to open churches, mosques, temples etc with similar protocols?” he asked.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday hinted at the reopening of places of worship.

While delivering his Madaraka Day speech at State House, the President said he shared the heavy hearts of all those who can no longer worship as they used to.

As part of the measures to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the country, the government ordered closure of all places of worship in March and the Head of State has now called on all stakeholders involved to hasten consultations and come up with a workable plan.