President Yoweri Museveni yesterday attended the Assumption Day celebrations on Kiwamirembe hill in Wakiso district, where he apologised for the insecurity that rocked the famous hill in the 1970s when the Tanzanian soldiers invaded Uganda to depose former president Idi Amin.
“I am sorry for the insecurity that rocked the hill. I was with the Tanzanians who put the guns on this hill but I am glad that the wars brought peace and development to the area,” he said.
The President, who was speaking to Catholic pilgrims during the Mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace Kiwamirembe Catholic Shrine in Lweza Parish, said he had come to join the faithful to give thanks to the Virgin Mary for the peace and security in the country.
“I am here to pray with you to the Virgin Mary and thank her for the peace and all the good things she has done but also to share some of the challenges still remaining,” he said, appreciating the people for supporting the NRM government which he said has guaranteed peace in the country.
Kampala Archdiocesan Bishop, the Most Rev. Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga said the place was named Kiwamirembe after the then Lweza Parish Priest and his parishioners started to pray for peace to be restored in the country.
“In the 1970s, we had a civil war here and those that were fighting put up big guns here. The prayers were heard and no bombs went off at the hill,” he said.
Archbishop Kizito Lwanga lauded President Museveni and the NRM Government for the peace and security in the country. He also read out a message from Pope Francis urging the pilgrims to pray for their loved ones, instructors, leaders and the vulnerable.
President Museveni donated Shs.20 million towards the management of the shrine and another Shs.80 million for the development of the shrine.
State Minister for Primary Education, Rosemary Sseninde and former East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Speaker Margaret Nnantongo Zziwa, attended the Mass.
The Catholic Church throughout the world holds annual prayers every 15 day of August to mark the assumption of the Virgin Mary to heaven.
