Jinja:Believers of the Orthodox faith in the Busoga subregion are eagerly awaiting the arrival of His Beatitude Theodore II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa. The spiritual leader of the Orthodox Church in Africa is visiting Uganda for three days, engaging with church stakeholders, Ugandan authorities, and exploring the Pearl of Africa.
The Pope is scheduled to visit the Orthodox Diocese of Jinja and Eastern Uganda on Friday, February 21, 2025. Spiritual authorities at the Jinja Diocese have confirmed that he will be at the church on Gokhale Road in Jinja City at 9 AM.
“We are privileged to host an important person, a man of God, and the leader of the Orthodox Church in Africa,” said Rev. Fr. Chrysostom Mukolya Kiyimba, the Vicar General of Jinja Cathedral, while addressing the media on Thursday afternoon.
The Vicar, who called on Orthodox faithful and believers from different religions to join in, emphasized: “We serve one God, and we are one before the Lord. Join us on Friday as we receive blessings from this renowned man of God.”
Fr. Kiyimba highlighted that the Pope’s visit to Uganda, particularly Busoga, signifies unity, harmony, and the reception of special blessings from a revered clergyman.
The Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD), led by its Director General, Mr. Anthony Mula, joined the Jinja Orthodox ecclesiastical leadership in welcoming Pope Theodore II to the region.
Mr. Mula commended the Orthodox Church for fostering unity and development in Busoga, emphasizing that its contributions should not be overlooked.
“As you all know, in governance, politics, leadership, religion, and the economy are interconnected. We, the people of Busoga, are honored to receive the Pope of the Orthodox Church,” said Mr. Mula.
“On behalf of the Busoga Consortium, I affirm our solidarity with the Orthodox Church,” he added, urging the people of Busoga to gather in Jinja City to welcome the Pope on Friday.
The Pope’s visit is expected to boost the visibility of Jinja and Busoga. Mr. Mula expressed hope that the region would gain greater recognition within Africa, adding, “I have learned that the Pope will also visit the Source of the Nile, which is a significant boost for Jinja City in terms of tourism.”
During a historic meeting at State House, Entebbe, on Tuesday, Pope Theodore II commended President Yoweri Museveni for promoting religious freedom and tolerance in Uganda. He acknowledged the strong ties between Uganda and the Orthodox Church, expressing gratitude for the warm reception.
President Museveni, in turn, emphasized the importance of mutual respect among different faiths and cultural groups, referencing the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan. He cautioned against sectarianism and religious extremism, stressing the need for unity and peaceful coexistence.
Beyond Busoga, Pope Theodore II will also visit Lwemiyaga and Gulu, where he will engage with local communities and leaders.
Notably, in 2021, during his previous visit to Uganda for the memorial service of the late Bishop Yonah Lwanga, the Pope commissioned the Diocesan Secretariat of Jinja. Fr. Kiyimba noted that construction is still ongoing.
