By Mulengera Reporter
Anglican Church Archbishop Dr Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu wants President Yoweri Museveni and the Covid19 National Taskforce to add the clergy on the list of people who offer essential services.
On Monday, President Museveni extended the Covid19 lockdown by two more weeks, easing up restrictions a little bit for a few categories like warehouses, hardware shops, wholesalers and mechanics, and announcing new measures like mandatory wearing of facemasks in public.
While Archbishop Kazimba observes that a number of Ugandans could have been disappointed by the extension, he acknowledges that it was “surely not an easy decision for the President to make, but we must willingly receive it so we can promote life and all its abundance, as Jesus promised in John 10:10.”
He then explains why it is urgent for some religious leaders to be included on the category of those who should be allowed to leave home for work, just like the President announced an addition of a few lawyers to the list.
“The need for regular pastoral care among Christians has not changed just because we’ve been under a lockdown. In fact, the need has increased because of the fear and uncertainty many are experiencing. I call upon the government to recognize clergy and lay readers as ‘Essential Employees,’ particularly in providing psycho-social services to Ugandans,” said the head of Church of Uganda (CoU). “If there is a sickness or death, clergy and lay readers are essential to providing community-based care, and should be respected by security personnel when they respond to such calls for prayer.
Kazimba also urged all believers “to be your brother and sister’s keeper.” He appealed: “Please make sure they have enough food. Please reach out to them over the phone to check on them. Make sure no one comes out of lockdown saying they were lonely.”
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