Regional conflicts, homosexuality take centre stage as Ugandans welcome 2014

 People watch fireworks at Kampala Sheraton Hotel as they welcomed the year 2014.

NATIONWIDE - Ugandans have been asked to uphold peace and end homosexuality as thousands joined worship congregations to welcome the year 2014.

During prayers to mark the New Year, religious leaders across the country asked the joyful believers to be ambassadors of peace, a move that would reduce human suffering in the country.

Mgr. Gerald Kalumba of Christ the King Church asked believers to learn from the South Sudan crisis to work towards peace; “The birth of Jesus Christ we celebrated on Christmas meant peace coming down to earth therefore we should maintain and uphold Jesus as a symbol of peace.”

Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira of Namirembe appealed for prayer of peace in the neighbouring South Sudan and DR Congo.

In Luwero, Bishop Evans Mukasa Kisekka warned leaders against discrimination and selfishness which defeats the purpose for elections.

"You must wisely use the resources and knowledge to ensure that the people you lead live a better life. We must turn to God and pray for our daily lives," Bishop Kisekka before warning against extravagance in the New Year.

Pr Jackson Ssenyonga of Christian Life Church, Bwaise called for prayers for President Museveni to have a spirit of discernment as he engage in solving regional conflicts in South Sudan and DR Congo.

Archbishop of Gulu John Baptist Odama asked the United Nation to fully intervene in the South Sudan crisis that has entered the third week of bloodshed.

While pouring praises to Parliament for passing the anti- homosexuality and anti-Pornography bills, the clerics asked the president to respect legislators’ decision to sign the bill into law.

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stanley Ntagali insisted that the church would fight homosexuality because it is not Biblical.

The primate asked Ugandans to do ‘a self-check’ in the New Year about their morals right from starting from their homes and spread it at their places of work and the country.

“Integrity, transparency and accountability should prevail in 2014, for this to happen it should start from us at home with the presence of God,” Bishop Ntagali said.

Pr Joseph Sserwadda of the Victory Church said: “We should celebrate the leadership who over saw the passing of the bills.”