The Uganda Police Force has said the crime rate during martyrs day celebrations reduced from 89 cases in 2018 to 46 cases in 2019.

In a statement released by Deputy Spokesperson Polly Namaye, of these 46 cases , 40 are reports of suspected stolen mobile phones , two cases of impersonation , two cases of suspected stolen, one assault , and one counterfeit where a suspect was arrested selling soda property suspected to be fake.

She said they have a total of 11 suspects in custody, after two were released on police bond. A total of 64 cases of missing children were reported to Child and Family Protection Unit desk during 134 martyr’s day celebration at both shrines in Namugongo.

“Only 62 of these children were recovered. Of these 58 were reunited with their families, four are still with our Child And Family Protection Office at CPS Kampala , two children are still missing namely Kwikiriza Batesa and Joshua Kibalama .”

The traffic and road safety desk registered two serious accidents at Kyaliwajjala trading center and along Jinja highway at Namanve.

She congratulated all members of the public upon successfully commemoration of the annual Uganda Martyrs Day, which was celebrated yesterday June 3, 2019, at Uganda Martyrs Shrines Namugongo.

“We thank all the security agencies, dignitaries and members of the public for the unprecedented hard work and cooperation in ensuring the success of this year’s celebration.” She said

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President Yoweri Museveni has praised the former Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi for being incorruptible and serving his country with due diligence throughout his life.

Museveni said in condolence message delivered by his vice, Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi at Namirembe cathedral where mourners convened to pray for the late academician.

Prof. Nsibambi died on Tuesday last week at his home in Bulange Mengo, Rubaga division, moments after he called his assistants to help him as he wanted to easy himself. According to Henry Dungu who works at Uganda Cancer Institute, Nsibambi died of a blood clot that moved into his lungs.

“I met Nsibambi at early age, he was a committed man who served in Mengo, Makerere University and government. He had his country at heart, incorruptible throughout his life and his name will go down in history,” he said in a statement.

Adding “Prof Nsibambi was 78 years but still youthful, but God decided that we shall all die. We shall miss him, May his soul rest in peace,” he said adding that the late will be accorded a state burial over his contribution to the development of his nation and 15 gun salutes.

In his message, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, implored his subjects to take Nsibambi as an example in all aspects especially at time keeping. He left a legacy in education and political sectors where he served with due diligence and rose through ranks to prime minister and chancellor of Makerere University.

“I thank him for accepting to take responsibility and negotiate with central government for the return of kingdom property and presenting critical issues for the development of the kingdom.” said in a statement read by Apolo Makubuya, Kabaka’s special advisor.

In his teachings derived from John 14:1-3, the Archbishop Stanley Ntagali, said Prof Nsibambi has run and finished his race. He described him as an intelligent, selfless man who has gone down in history without any wrong doing written on his name.

He called on mourners to surround themselves with good people and work for truth and truth will set them free just as Nsibambi was. He never misused government funds despite holding influential positions in government.

His wife, Esther Nsibambi, applauded church of Uganda, president Museveni, public service, Makerere University, government for availing medical services to her husband throughout his life and her step daughter for simplifying her work and marriage.

“I have lost a friend, I applaud him for loving me. I remember when he praised me whenever he wrote letters to other people saying, my wife Esther and I, we invite you… My wife Esther and I, we want you to help us…….. Nsibambi was a real man. The rest of you men embark on loving your wives because it is the greatest investment for them to deliver in everything for the development of their families,” She said in agonizing voice.

“I have never heard and bad record written against my husband’s name, this puts him on the list of most excellent persons who have diligently served this country.”

Yusuf Kibuuka an in-law who gave away Esther 16 years ago, said the height of a tree is measured when it falls down, “his height has really been measured by what you all have talked about him,”

“He lived like a rain bow each color represented fruits he bared. He was incorrupt, dear mourners one million shillings earned is far better than billions. Am sure he has gone to heaven and one day we shall meet. Rest in peace,” he said.

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The Archbishop of Church of Uganda, Stanley Ntagali, has said that they will not associate with any country that supports homosexuality, an illegal act against biblical teachings.

The Archbishop said during 2019 Martyr’s day celebrations at Anglican shrine. The service was led by five dioceses of Mityana, Luwero, Mukono, West and Central Buganda.

Mr. Ntagali lauded Kenya’s High Court for upholding laws against homosexuality. “Kenya has joined us in the struggle against the vice. We resolved that Archbishops against the vice will not go to England for a meeting of all archbishops because we disagreed on the issues of homosexuality, let the liberals stay with their money for us we shall convene in Kigali with our wives to continue preaching the gospel.” He said

He said European countries have continued to impose their culture on African states a move that has boosted moral decadence on the continent.

His statement come at a time when members of ex-gay community through George Oundo, the chairperson petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, calling for re-tabling of anti-homosexuality law 2014 in Parliament claiming that the Bill will help create awareness about the sexual orientation.

The Archbishop also prayed for the family of the late Prof. Apolo Nsibambi who died on Tuesday evening at his home in Bulange Mengo, Rubaga division, moments after he called his assistants to help him as he wanted to easy himself.

“Nsibambi was a man of integrity, accepted our savior, life well lived in academia, politics, in marriage he had a testimony, may his soul rest in peace,”

In his message, the preacher, Archbishop of Anglican Church of Kenya, Jackson Ole Sapit, called on people to settle in God, saying obedience is the only way to go and there is no life with out of God.

“We have gathered here because God is real, he is not an image, creator of heaven and earth, his presence overwhelms, leads society, controls human mind, nature and generations to come.” He said

The Uganda Martyrs are a group of 23 Anglican and 22 Catholic converts to Christianity in the historical kingdom of Buganda, now part of Uganda, who were executed between January 31, 1885 and 27 January 27, 1887. They were killed on orders of Mwanga II, the Kabaka (King) of Buganda.

The service was attended by Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, government chief whip Ruth Nankabirwa, Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye among other dignitaries.

Conversely, at Catholic shrine, the Archbishop of Gulu Diocese, John Baptist Odama, called on believers to always obey God and everywhere for inheritance of God’s kingdom.

He illustrated some of the signs of disobedience to God which included corruption, wars, domestic violence, theft, child sacrifice, sectarianism, xenophobia.

“Adulatory, witch craft, hatred, envy, and others do not lead to inheritance of God’s kingdom. obey God always and everywhere and live in God always.” He added.

He lauded the people of Gulu, the organizing diocese of this year’s celebrations, for standing firm and organize such a colorful function and expressing their spiritual attachment to God when they walked over 300 kilometers Namugongo.

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