What was meant to be a solemn spiritual gathering turned into a scene of suspense and uncertainty as worshippers arrived expecting prayers organized by Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, only to find the altar deserted and Catholic priests conspicuously absent.
Tension, silence, and political drama engulfed Rubaga Cathedral in Kampala on Monday afternoon after prayers for jailed Opposition leader Kizza Besigye were abruptly halted in a move that sent shockwaves through congregants and political supporters alike.
What was meant to be a solemn spiritual gathering turned into a scene of suspense and uncertainty as worshippers arrived expecting prayers organized by Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, only to find the altar deserted and Catholic priests conspicuously absent.
The 2 pm prayers had been announced as a spiritual intervention to “ease the pain of political prisoners, including my husband, and bring them before the Lord,” Byanyima said. But as faithful Christians slowly filled the cathedral’s pews, an eerie silence hovered over the sanctuary, broken only by murmurs of confusion and anticipation.
Moments later, the devastating truth emerged: the Mass had been postponed at the last minute. No public explanation was given, deepening the mystery surrounding the decision. The Catholic Church remained tight-lipped, leaving worshippers and political figures searching for answers.
Byanyima walked toward the dais inside the historic cathedral, a moment that evoked emotional memories of her July 7, 1999 wedding to Besigye inside the same church. Standing before the congregation, she invoked tradition and faith, saying she was continuing a Catholic practice of praying for her husband during the Lent season.
Byanyima claimed she had received a call from His Grace John Baptist Ssemogerere, who reportedly told her he had been contacted by President Yoweri Museveni requesting that the Mass be cancelled.
“I pleaded that the prayers proceed because of tradition,” she said, adding that Museveni later agreed to a postponement, reportedly expressing fears that the event could carry political implications.
“We cannot hold Mass because of a presidential order,” she told congregants, her voice echoing through the cathedral’s stone walls. “This is the first time in my life I have seen a Head of State ordering that a citizen should not be prayed for.”
Despite the official announcement of the postponement, some supporters quietly remained seated inside the cathedral, refusing to leave the sacred space.
Outside, political heavyweights watched the unfolding drama. Veteran activist Miria Matembe says she is not surprised that the planned prayers for Dr. Kizza Besigye were halted, but questions the Church’s decision to comply.
She adds that Uganda recently commemorated Janani Luwum, who spoke out at the cost of his own life.
The Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi said Ugandans should not be afraid of peaceful prayer gatherings, emphasizing that such meetings are part of democratic and religious freedoms. Joel Ssenyonyi made the remarks during a church prayer service organized to pray for political prisoners, including former presidential candidate Kizza Besigye and others held on remand.
Ssenyonyi noted that reports of people being afraid to attend the service were worrying, saying this should not be the case in a democratic society. He questioned why peaceful prayers would be viewed as a threat, especially when places of worship are traditionally spaces of hope, forgiveness, and reflection.
He argued that if political leaders truly enjoy public support, they should not feel threatened by citizens gathering to pray for justice and freedom. He added that while prayers are sometimes organized at political party offices and occasionally disrupted, moving such gatherings to church should have been seen as a positive gesture promoting peace and reconciliation.
By press time, the presidential press secretary Sandor Walusimbi had not issued a response to the allegations.
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