Mkapa, Lwanga, Baharagate and Magige after the prayers. Behind them are President Museveni and First Lady Janet
By Raymond Baguma
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has supported the ongoing campaign in the Catholic Church to have former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere recognised as a saint.
The campaign to bestow sainthood on Nyerere began on January 26, 2006 when the Vatican accepted a request from the Bishop of Musoma in northern Tanzania to canonise the late leader. The Vatican then granted him the title of ‘Servant of God.'
Museveni yesterday praised Nyerere for uniting the different religious groups in Tanzania and advancing Swahili as a common language to unite the ethnically diverse country. Today, Tanzania is the most peaceful country in Africa with no civil wars, Museveni observed.
He was speaking during special prayers, held at Catholic Martyrs' shrine in Namugongo, for the beatification of the late Mwalimu.
Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop of Kampala, Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, and Bishop Emeritus Edward Baharagate. Former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa was among the dignitaries present. The Nyerere family was led by the widow, Maria Gabriel Magige.
The family and many Tanzanians donned scarves with Kiswahili messages calling for Nyerere's canonisation. They also wore uniform wrappers. The choir from Marian Faith Healing Centre in Dar-es-Salaam sang Kiswahili hymns.
After mass, Museveni narrated his first meeting with the former leader when he was still a student at Dar-es-Salaam University in 1968. "He was blessed with extraordinary wisdom and compassion for the oppressed. He loved freedom and unity for all people, and he was a fearless freedom fighter."
He said during the 1970s, Nyerere supported freedom movements in Vietnam, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Angola, Namibia as well as Uganda. Museveni also pointed out that Nyerere's role was instrumental in the restoration of peace in Burundi.
"He was like the Ugandan martyrs who stood for truth against sin; even at the expense of their lives. I join those who are praying for the canonisation of Mwalimu as a saint. He was not only a freedom fighter, he was also a man of God."
Mkapa, who was Tanzania's third President, praised the fact that Nyerere always remained humble. "I stayed with him from 1966 until his passing away. He was a leader of the independence struggle. He abhorred being worshiped. He knew he was human and lived like any other being."
Prayers for Nyerere's canonisation, organised by the widow, have been conducted at the Namugongo shrine since 2007.
Hundreds of Tanzanian, Kenyan and Rwandan pilgrims are currently in the country to commemorate Uganda Martyrs' Day, celebrated annually on June 3.
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Museveni: Nyerere was my Hero - Maneno ya Museven leo kutoka Uganda
I was the Chief Guest, this afternoon, at the Mass organised at the Uganda Matyrs' Shrine Namugongo, in memory of the former President of Tanzania for his outstanding contribution to Tanzania and to Africa.
The late Mwalimu was a Pan-Africanist who loved God and mankind. He united the people of Tanzania and helped liberate most African countries like Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola, South Africa and Uganda.
I salute his contribution to our freedom struggle. If Nyerere had not helped us get rid of Idi Amin's regime, Uganda would not have contributed to the restoration of peace and security in other African countries like in Burundi, the Congo, Somalia, Rwanda and Kenya among others.
I worked with Mwalimu Nyerere for a long time and he indeed deserves to qualify as a Saint. He did not only make a big contribution to the liberation of African countries but also introduced universal education in Tanzania.
While people in some countries were engaged in sectarian conflicts, along religious and tribal leanings, Mwalimu Nyerere united the people of his country.
I thank Maama Maria Nyerere for choosing the 1st day of the month of June, two days before Matyrs' Day, to pray in Uganda for the cause of the beatification and eventual canonization of her late husband.
I look forward to hosting African leaders who used to work with the late Mwalimu at next year's prayers. The leaders include President Eduardo dos Santos of Angola, former President Sam Nujoma of Namibia and Alberto Chissano of Mozambique.
I have noted that there are many more pilgrims to Namugongo from Uganda and the region and will ensure our capacity is increased by boosting accommodation facilities.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/PresidentYoweriKagutaMuseveni