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\t\t\t\t\tThe presiding Bishop of the\u00a0Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Church,\u00a0Jacinto Kibuuka, has criticized the government\u2019s ongoing eviction of street and roadside vendors, calling for humane and well-planned alternatives before any enforcement is carried out.
\nDelivering his Easter Sunday homily at Mamre International Prayer Centre in Janda, Namugongo, Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, Bishop Kibuuka described the evictions as \u201cbarbaric and heartless,\u201d warning that they risk worsening poverty and triggering a rise in crime across the country.
\n\u201cThose being evicted in a barbaric manner from different streets across the country are our people, people we work with, who vote, and whom we counsel and preach to,\u201d he said. \u201cThey are filled with sorrow because these businesses are their only source of livelihood including school fees, food, and family support.\u201d
\nThe Bishop raised concern over vendors with existing financial obligations, including loans under government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and private financial services, questioning how they would meet their repayments after losing their livelihoods.
\n\u201cWe are not against trade Order,\u201d he clarified, \u201cbut we ask: where has the government planned to relocate them? Evicting people without alternatives will only lead to unprecedented criminality, especially theft and thuggery, in the coming days.\u201d
\nHe further condemned the methods used in the evictions, warning that forceful approaches could incite violence and deepen public suffering. \u201cThis is Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, and such actions should not define us. Government must plan first before taking action,\u201d he said.
\nBishop Kibuuka also called on leaders at all levels to adopt compassionate leadership. \u201cWe must strive to wipe people\u2019s tears rather than cause them. These are the people God entrusted to us, and we must lead them with kindness, not harshness,\u201d he added.
\nIn his sermon, the Bishop extended his message beyond national issues, urging prayers for global peace, particularly referencing tensions between\u00a0Iran\u00a0and\u00a0Israel. He emphasized the sanctity of life and condemned all forms of violence.
\n\u201cNo one deserves to kill another, whether young or unborn. Such acts are evil and bring pain to humanity. Let us pray for renewal, forgiveness, and reconciliation during this Easter season,\u201d he said.
\nEchoing the Bishop\u2019s message,\u00a0Francis Xavier Bbossa, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, urged parents to take a more active role in guiding and protecting their children in an increasingly challenging social environment.
\nHe also announced plans for upcoming meetings to organize celebrations marking 10 years of the church\u2019s presence in Uganda, a milestone expected to bring together members and well-wishers for reflection and thanksgiving.<\/p>\n
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