Those who were invited include priests, the media, health workers, and security personnel. Rev John Kitayimbwa the chairperson of the organising committee at the Anglican Site, told this publication in an interview yesterday that the 200 people who have been invited have a role to play in ensuring that the virtual service is successfully delivered to the faithful.
‘ It is not a celebration and it is not for anyone to come. We have a technical team of people that will help to deliver the worship in the different homes. We have several televisions, which are going to broadcast live. The Archbishop of Uganda, the Most Rev Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, will be the main preacher. He will be accompanied by five bishops. Those who will not be able to go to church,tune in and follow,’ he said. He explained that all people who have been given a green light to take part in the service are from Kampala , Wakiso and Mukono districts.
He also added that the number of choir members had been cut down from 600 people to 30 to avoid congestion as directed by the Ministry of Health. Rev Kitayimbwa, however, said even those who will take part in the service are restricted from accessing the museum. ‘No holy water. The healing of Christ doesn’t need water. Focus on the ministry. They can take the water or visit the museums when the government gives us permission,’ he advised. The Dean of the Faculty of Divinity and Theology at Uganda Christian University, Prof Alfred Olwa, said security personnel will be deployed around the site to ensure no crowds build up .
‘ The Uganda Police is working with us to strictly ensure that nobody who is not part of this special invite of people can access the site,’ he said. Prof Olwa said those who will take part in the service will be tasked to adhere to the standard operating procedures. At the Catholic Shrine, no special guests have been invited. Fr Vincent Lubega, the priest of Uganda Martyrs Parish in Namugongo, said they will conduct Mass at different intervals.
‘The episcopal conference allowed us to have Mass at the parish level. Namugongo has shrines and sub-parishes.Many of the parishioners are going to pray in their sub-parishes. A few will come to the shrine and we are going to follow guidance. We have contacted the police, and health facilities to avail enough sanitiser,’ he said.