I think that this is also an important part of Uganda ‘s history and deserves to be among the archive files
On Thursday 31 July 1969, at exactly 3:00 p.m East African Time, an East African Airways Super VC10 touched down at Entebbe airport having flown in from the side of kampala and accompanied by four military jets flying in echelon. At exactly 3:13 p.m. the door of the VC10 was opened and Pope Paul VI stepped out of the aircraft amid ululations and jubilations.
On the tarmac he was met by Milton Obote and first lady Miria Kalule. Later on, Milton Obote introduced him to the Heads of State that had come to Uganda to benefit from the papal visit;
1. Julius Nyerere of Tanzania
2. Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia
3. Kayibanda of Rwanda
4. Micombero of Burundi
5. Representative for Joseph Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku wa Zabanga of Congo-Kinshasa
6. Representative of General Gowon of Federal Nigeria
7. Reprsentative of General Ojukwu of Republic of Biafra (the break away Ibo Eastern Region of Nigeria)
The Pope then greated the Heads of the Church (both Roman and Anglican catholic) and proceded to the dias for the national Anthems of Vaticano and Uganda to be played. Obote later made a long welcome speech (he was fond of that) thanking the Pope for having a great love for Africa . The Pope on his part made a very brief speech but with a sting on dictatorial and communist leaders. The Prelate said that the Catholic Church would not just sit idle and let innocent citizens to be mistreated the world over by dictators who wished to deprive the people of their rights! He concluded with a phrase in Luganda, “Mwebale nnyo okumpuliriza“, to which the crowd thundered “Kale Kitaffe mu Katonda!” together with thunderous clapping. Some were heard whispering to each other, “Owulidde Papa bw’amanyi Oluganda! Ovanga ku bantu!“
The journey from Entebbe to Lubaga took a whole 2 hrs. At the Cathedral, he was welcomed by Cardinal Rugambwa of Dar es Salaam Archdiocese, who ushered him into the Cathedral. At the begining of the Mass, he said a short prayer in French and English. He then turned to the congregation and blessed them in Luganda, “Omukama abeere nammwe!”, to which they replied mesmerized, “Naawe abeere naawe!” More thunderous clapping!!!
From Lubaga he went to the presidential lodge at Nakasero to a dinner hosted by Milton Obote. Interestingly, all the reporters were barred from entry apart from those from the govt Min. of Information and Prediential Press. Obote presented the Pope with numerous gifts among which were 22 ivory tusks in rememberance of the 22 Buganda (now Uganda ) martyrs. In return, (the Baganda say, Kabbo ka muwala kajja kajjudde kaddayo kajjudde) the Pope gave the govt of Uganda thru Milton Obote, 350,000/= of the time (exchange rate was $1 = 8/-) in order assist the destitutes of Uganda and those suffering from Polio. He also bestowed upon Milton Obote, John Babiiha, Sam Odaka; The Grand Cross of the Order of Pope Pius. As for Basil Bataringaya and the Speaker of the National Assembly – Hon. Patel, he bestowed upon them The Grand Cross of St. Gregory the Great. In appreciation, Miria Kalule Obote presented the Pope with an expensive wrist watch.
1st August 1969 was Mass day at Kololo airstrip which he celebrated with 11 Cardinals and later ordained bishops from Uganda (Halem’imana – Kabale, Baharagate – Hoima, Kakubi – Mbarara and Magambo – Fort Portal ). From Kololo he went to the National Assembly to meet the MP’s and made a brief speech. From the parliament he went to Old Mulago hospital, being accompanied all the time by Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga, where he was welcomed by Hon. C. Katiti then ministr of Culture and development. He then went to New Mulago hospital where he was welcomed by Hon. Wakhooli who was representing minister of health Hon. Lwamafa. Among the govt delegates at New Mulago were Maj. Gen. Idi Amin, IGP Erinayo Oryema.
From Mulago he went to Mmengo Kisenyi to the spot where Yakobo Buuzabalyawo and Yozefu Balikuddembe were murdered. He blessed the spot and donated money to build a church at the spot in rememberance of the duo. From there he went to Lubaga Uganda Social Centre where he also prayed and donated money to complete the Social Centre.
2nd August 1969 was Mass day at Namugongo. He started off at the Anglican catholic site where majority of the martyrs were murdered. He was welcomed by Archbishop Eric Sabiti and Bishop Dunstan Nsubuga of Namirembe, in whose Diocese this site is located. He was taken in a mock-hut similar to the one in which Kabaka’s Chief guard Mukajanga used to live. He entered the hut and prayed for the poor fellows soul. He was briefed on the Buganda kingdoms norms of the days when Mukajanga carried out the death warrants. Archbishop Eric Sabiti presented the Pope wityh a Bible and Kiganda traditional mats. In return, the Pope presented the Archbishop with his own (Pope Paul) cross which he was wearing at the time while to the rest of the Anglican catholics he presented medals. Obote and all the visiting Heads of State were present.
The Pope then headed to the Roman Catholic site where Karoli Lwanga was murdered. He was welcomed by Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga who offered him a seat. The cardinal read out a welcome speech in which he further thanked the Pope for his extra generous contribution of 140,000/- towards the completion of Namugongo Martyrs Shrine. He then invited the Pope to consecrate the Holy Altar that was built at the very spot where Karoli lwanga was murdered. The Pope walked silently to the altar amid solemn silence, knelt down and kissed the ground where karoli Lwanga had laid slain. He then consecrated the altar and proceded with the Mass in which he baptised 22 children in rememberance of the 22 martyrs. He also confrimed 22 confirmants in rememberance of the 22 martyrs. At the end of the Mass, the Pope removed his papal vestiments and mitar and did something that had never been done before anywhere in the world by any living Pope. He presented his papal vestiments, mitar and staff to Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga! Cardinal Nsubuga was humbled beyond words!
From Namugongo the Pope went back to Lubaga where he had lunch with the bishops and clergy. The different Hads of State also were invited and they held brief talks with the Prelate. He later celebrated Mass at Lubuga cathedral at 5:30 p.m. At the end of the Mass, in his farewell speech, he donated 1,400,000/- to the Uganda Roman Catholic church in order to help spread the gospel. He then headed to Entebbe airport where he boarded the EAA VC10 back to Rome . While in cruise, the Pope telephoned Obote to thank him and the people of Uganda for the hospitality offered to him.
Who was Pope Paul VI? He was born Giovani Batista Maria Montini, a very humble boy that was born in Italy in 1897, that had never dreamt of becoming a priest until at age 17, when he was turned away from the Italian Army conscripts evaluation during World War 1 because of his poor health.
That is our history that should also not be re-written.
Robert Nviirimbiziwomerannyinizo
