Speaking on Sunday, December 15 during the celebration of the 10th anniversary of St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church, Ntinda, of his Metropolitan See, and the official opening of Kaloori Lwanga Tower, Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere reflected on John the Baptists’ message to different groups of people in St. Luke's Gospel.
“Our soldiers, police, and other security organs, please treat us well. Do not intimidate us,” Archbishop Ssemogerere said, referring to John the Baptist's message to soldiers discouraging them against extortion and false accusations.
He added, “I heard one time the president saying no one has a right to torture a civilian, but I see stories in the media where people are being mistreated by security.”
In his message at the December 15 event, Archbishop Ssemogerere urged security personnel to exercise integrity, especially during the Christmas season, adding, “As we head to Christmas, stop intimidating and extorting Ugandans. Be contented with what you have.”
The Ugandan Catholic Archbishop also addressed tax policies, challenging tax-collecting agencies like the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to enforce fair taxation practices that do not harm businesses.
“Why do you make people cry? Why do they have to close their businesses because of taxes? When taxes are collected, why are they not put to good use so that we have good roads, schools, and hospitals?” he asked.
He added, “Taxes should be paid. I am not saying we shouldn’t because, without them, there is no development. Without them, how do we run the country? But do not collect more than your rate.”
In his homily, the Archbishop also urged Ugandans to help those starving, particularly in Karamoja, a sub-region in northeast Uganda that is considered one of the poorest in the country.
“Why can't we as a country prepare a policy that can help our people in Karamoja who are starving from hunger? We have enough food; our country is a food basket. We should help all the people,” he said.
About the newly built tower that he was to officially open, Archbishop Ssemogerere urged the parish to guard the newly built tower “jealously”.
“I want to thank you for having the spirit of self-reliance to sustain yourselves here and, hopefully, assist others who are not as blessed as you are,” he said.
Considering the project as a blessing, the Ugandan Archbishop urged the parishioners to extend their blessings to others, emphasizing the need to support those in less fortunate circumstances.
He highlighted the abundance of food in Uganda, and expressed regret that some areas experience starvation despite the surplus.
“We are endowed with plenty of food. In our markets, the food rots, not because it is too expensive, but because people have enough. Yet you hear that some areas in our country are starving. What has gone wrong?” he asked.
Archbishop Ssemogerere proposed the creation of a system within the Church and the nation to address economic disparities in the country.
He described Uganda as a “fruit basket” and urged the faithful to think about the hungry, the naked, and the many beggars in need of support.
The newly constructed Kaloori Lwanga Towers aims to transform the lives of the youth through skills training, evangelization, and charity initiatives.