VANESSA A
Religious leaders from the Catholic Church have expressed their frustration and blamed the government for interfering with church programs and putting a stop to the set date to pray for Dr. Col. Kiiza Besigye, all the sick, and prisoners.
These reports were made yesterday shortly after a press conference held at Pope Paul VI Memorial Hotel in Lubaga, following the message given by Winnie Byanyima, wife to Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye who is incarcerated, that the Mass had been postponed.
Fr. Elias Kasigaire, Parish Priest (Bwana Mukuru) of Nyarushanje, acknowledged that it was frustrating for them to reach Lubaga Cathedral to pray in one spirit with Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere for Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye, all the sick, and prisoners, only to hear that the Mass had been postponed, saying it was really disappointing.
He further highlighted that this brings a bad image to the government of Uganda, saying the Church remains standing in its truth however much the government interferes, not only with the Catholics but all religions since the Mass had gathered people from different faiths.
Fr. Seleverino Karugaba Carlos also highlighted that this was a total disappointment to them, seeing the government led by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda, stop and direct that the Mass be postponed without a clear reason, saying this is bringing politics into the Church, yet that was not their mission.
He further noted that the intention was only to pray for those in prison and the sick, urging people that amidst all this drama, it is their responsibility to pray to God personally to take charge of the situation.
Fr. Paulinus Orishaba and Fr. Felix Bunimba, both from Kabale Diocese, also showed frustration, saying the government has exposed what it is capable of doing. They added that to their disappointment, the poster for the Mass had been out for some time and the authorities should have communicated the postponement earlier.
They further posed questions to the government, asking, “Does it really require research to have a Mass to pray for prisoners and the sick?” They said they are grateful the government has shown them who they are in this country.
Winnie Byanyima, wife to Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye and Executive Director of UNAIDS, revealed that on Sunday, 22/02/2026, she was called by the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Most Rev. Paul Ssemogerere, informing her that the President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, had directed that the Mass be cancelled until further notice. Later, they were told it would be postponed for a few days and that another date would be communicated, which is why they were unable to hold the Mass.
