UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere has sounded the alarm on the escalating issue of land grabbing and encroachment on church lands.
Expressing concern during a sermon at St. Joseph Balikuddembe Catholic Parish in Buloba on Mityana Road, the Archbishop highlighted the challenges faced by the Church, with relatives attempting to reclaim donated land, some even going as far as obtaining titles for it.
Archbishop Ssemogerere’s call echoes the worries of many religious leaders who have witnessed an increase in land-grabbing incidents.
He urged the government to step in and protect church land under threat, emphasising the importance of securing proper titles.
The Archbishop’s message resonated with the congregation as he called on Christians to actively safeguard church land to prevent it from falling into the hands of unscrupulous individuals.
The Buloba Parish, one of 73 under the Kampala Archdiocese, holds particular significance as one of the eight parishes inaugurated by the late Archbishop Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga.
As the Archdiocese prepares to celebrate 50 years since the canonisation of the Uganda Martyrs by Pope Paul VI, concerns about the protection of church land have gained prominence.
Archbishop Ssemogerere expressed surprise at the audacity of some descendants who, years after their forebears donated land to the church, are now asserting ownership.
Some have even gone as far as demanding that the Church divide the land among them.
The Archbishop pointed out instances of fraudulent land titles being forged in the name of individuals who claim ownership of ancestral lands donated to churches.
He acknowledged the prevailing conflict in the country, suggesting that some individuals take advantage of the situation to seize land, knowing that some landowners may be powerless to resist.
The Archbishop stressed the need for vigilance within the Church and the wider community to counteract these attempts at land grabbing.
During the same occasion, Archbishop Ssemogerere advised lay parish church leaders to operate selflessly, emphasising Pope Francis’s call for unity and collaboration.
He encouraged parishioners to offer expertise where needed, citing the importance of collective effort in serving the church.
As a symbol of unity, the Archbishop discussed the significance of liturgical vestments, clarifying the specific colours worn on different occasions.
He urged parishioners to be attentive to details, ensuring that their actions align with the principles of the Catholic Church.
The Archbishop concluded by announcing November 15 as the pilgrimage day to Lusinga, the birthplace of St. Joseph Balikuddembe, a Ugandan Martyr with historical ties to the parish.
The pilgrimage is a significant event that underscores the importance of preserving religious sites and their associated lands.
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