Menu

Pope Francis arrived in Uganda on Friday to loud cheers from huge crowds in Entebbe, a major Ugandan town, some 30 kilometres south of the capital, Kampala. He arrived from Kenya on the second leg of the Pope’s first Africa tour.

The Pope arrived in Kenya on Wednesday, November 25, and departed on Friday, November 17. According to his itinerary, he will leave Uganda on Sunday to arrive in Central African Republic, where he will spend just about 24 hours and depart for Rome on Monday.  

Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, reportedly said he was honoured to host Pope Francis. Museveni said the Pope's "compassion for the poor and his frankness of spirit is an encouragement for all of us."

While in Uganda, the Pope is expected to visit Namugongo township and the forgotten Munyonyo shrines to honour slain catholic martyrs, including St Andrew Kaggwa, patron of Uganda’s catechists. 23 Anglican and 22 Catholic Ugandan Martyrs were killed by Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda, a Ugandan tribal king, between 1886-1887 because of their refusal to renounce their faith.

In expectation of the Pope’s visit, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LBGT) community has called on the Pontiff to advocate for an end to their marginalization in Uganda. Same-sex relationships are outlawed in the country where 96 percent of the people are against homosexuality. Ugandan President told CNN that homosexuality is "unnatural" and not a human right.

Pope Francis is known to have a tolerant view of homosexuality. In 2013, he shocked the catholic community when he said, "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?"

The Bishop of Rome was applauded once again for his humility during his visit to Kenya. Unlike U.S. President Barack Obama, who visited Kenya in July amid tight security and his bullet-proof limousine, called "the Beast," Pope Francis rode in a miniature Honda car.

An anti-corruption activist in Kenya, John Githongo, told Reuters, "The sheer humility of the Pope, the simplicity of his message, I fear may be lost on the most rapacious elite on this side of Africa,"

During a mass and meetings, the Pope told youths in Kenya to be against corruption, to support strong family values; he emphasized bridging the gap between the rich and the poor. The highlight of his trip to Kenya was his visit to Kangemi slum.

In the Central African Republic, Pope Francis will visit a refugee camp, speak with government leaders, celebrate mass and meet with the Muslim community at a mosque. The Pope will advocate for reconciliation in the war-torn country. Amnesty International have released a statement requesting the Pope to address sectarian conflict during his historic visit to CAR.  

“Nobody likes change, and there’s a certain amount of resistance and opposition but it’s a step that the country must take if it wants to move forward,” Archbishop Franco Coppola, Pope Francis’ ambassador to the Central African Republic, said in an interview. “Hopefully the Pope’s reconciling message will have a positive impact in this regard.”

A papal visit comes with its economic benefits, apart from the spiritual upliftment, especially for millions of faithful Catholics. Local businesses in the services industry such as hotels and restaurants get the most boost as a result of tourists’ arrival.

During his first visit to the United States in September, Pope Francis preached a message of compassion for the poor, religious tolerance, immigration reform and environmental concern.