Parliament marked the start of the Lenten season with prayers for the Anglican and Catholic chaplaincies amid calls for repentance and alms giving.
The Catholic Mass was led by the Bishop Christopher Kakooza of Lugazi Diocese while Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu led the Anglican Ash Wednesday Service.
Bishop Kakooza emphasised the need for Christians to reconcile themselves with God and their fellow brothers and sisters, which he said is one of the key purposes of the 40-day fasting period.
He added that alms giving is a virtue that Christians learn and appreciate during the Lenten season.
The Bishop also highlighted the significance of Ash Wednesday.
“We smear ashes on our foreheads as a sign that we are nothing, we are just dust. In the Old Testament when Prophet Jonah asked the Ninevites to repent, they smeared themselves with dust, wore sack clothes and turned to God in repentance,” said Bishop Kakooza.
In his sermon, Archbishop Kaziimba urged Christians to avoid being idle and also exercise humility before God so as to receive forgiveness.
“Lent teaches us restoration, it teaches us that when we sin and repent we are reformed. Lent is a season for self-reflection and we need to reflect on the future of our country,” said Archbishop Kaziimba.
He also appealed to political leaders to mend fences irrespective of their political inclinations.
“In this period, I expect NRM leaders to be talking to NUP leaders, UPC talking to FDC and all others,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa thanked Bishop Kakooza for leading Christians on the path of renewal.
“This is a period of repentance and renewal; I expect us now to agree more often on the Floor. It is important that we work as a team because in the end, it is all about Uganda,” he said.
Tayebwa called on leaders to live up to the prayers they make in their respective places of worship.
“The prayers we say here in church are more than rituals. We need to practice when we say, ‘Lord forgive us and let us forgive those who trespass against us’,” the Deputy Speaker said.
The Government Chief Whip, Hon. Hamson Obua, who also serves as the head of laity for the Anglican community in Parliament underscored the significance of reflection and renewal.
“Ash Wednesday being the first of the 40 days Jesus Christ endured in the wilderness, is a critical period for us as leaders. Here, we reflect and renew our faith in the Lord, that should be driven by integrity, compassion and justice,” Obua said.
