I learned, with great shock, of the bomb blasts that went off at Kyadondo Rugby Club and Ethiopian Restaurant in Kabalagala, killing and injuring many innocent people who had converged to watch the World Cup Final on Sunday night.

As a result, there is a spirit of gloom and doom over the city of Kampala and the people of Uganda. Many people are bereaved; parents and children have been separated; brothers and sisters, lovers and friends are all feeling a great sense of loss and there is great pain.

This act of malice and hatred towards mankind is completely ungodly, especially towards innocent and unsuspecting persons. I condemn this act in the strongest terms possible and hope to see the perpetrators of this hideous crime brought to justice.

In the mean time, I call upon each one of us to desist from anger and revenge; this will only perpetuate the pain we already feel. Revenge is not a solution and neither is a sectarian approach to this problem helpful.

Let us instead now focus our energies on being a part of the fight against terrorism in our country. Each one of you can use your eyes as a great weapon to fight this evil. Even as we do so, let us not breed unnecessary suspicion against one another but instead seek for the common goal of a peaceful and just society. Remember a peaceful society is the right of every one regardless of their age, race, gender or religious inclination.

It may cost this nation a lot to try and be a good neighbour to the Somalis who are struggling to have a governable nation.

To the bereaved, I extend my sincere condolences. We share in your pain and wish you God’s comfort during this difficult time.

And to the entire nation, I ask you to fix your eyes on the cross of Jesus. The cross is a reminder of human cruelty to an innocent person; the agony of pain He went through enables Him to share in our pain as well. He had to pay a price for us to receive our freedom. The blood of the Ugandans spilled on Sunday will bring to Ugandans peace.

Perpetrators may not know what they are doing but Jesus prayed a powerful prayer, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Yet with this blood on their hands, the Righteous God will be the one to avenge our cause while human justice will also take its course.

For indeed our help comes from the Lord as Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

I pray for the President, his Cabinet, the Members of Parliament, the Police and all Security Agencies as they address this challenge. May God’s wisdom direct you and give you victory over the enemies of our people. And may Ugandans remain united during such a trying time.

The Peace of God be over this nation now and forever.

For God and my country!

The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi

Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and Bishop of Kampala Diocese

During Easter we remember the real meaning of our Lord’s word recorded by John the Apostle.  Jesus raised from the dead – the empty tomb – the testimony of the women who went early to anoint his cold still body – the excitement and boldness of his Apostles who proclaimed his resurrection.  The same claim today made and faith of Two (2) billion Christians – all testify to a Jesus who is no longer in the grave but alive.  HE LIVES!!!

On 25th February, this year, in the Provincial Office, several Church leaders from various Churches sounded a trumpet-call against human sacrifices which is very rampant in our country.  That call was picked-up by many believers who have continued to repent, fast and pray to God, the giver of life, whose creation is being wantonly destroyed.  Believers, we shall not rest until God brings justice on behalf of those who are innocently slain by wicked schemes of men and women who do not fear God.  Our hope and encouragement is in the Lord who could not be held captive by death.  On the Cross, his blood was shed for the sins of many.  He called to the Father to forgive those responsible for his death.  May God forgive those who are ignorantly sacrificing human lives to the god of money, power and prestige.
We declare the Lordship of the risen Christ over rampant moral failure of our time.  Jesus is alive and so we shall not give up hope.  He will turn the hearts of all Ugandans to love this nation and all her citizens.

I call upon the Government to use her relevant organs to ensure that the citizens of Uganda live without fear.  Right now there is fear in the hearts of parents with young children.  Fear on our roads as many travel because of careless driving.  Fear as prices rise and cost of living escalate.  Fear as young people battle with immorality even in schools.  Fear as many marriages are no longer holding together.  The list is long.

The words of Jesus Christ this East is, “PEACE BE WITH YOU.”  (John 20:19).  The one who went through insults, rejection, crucifixion and pain qualifies to declare his PEACE on you today.  Make peace with him this Easter Season.  Seek for peace between you and the one whom you called your enemy since last Easter.  We invite his peace to cover our country and govern our relationship with our neighbouring countries as well.  MAY YOU HAVE HIS PEACE TODAY.

I wish His Excellency and his family Happy Easter.  I send Easter greetings to the Kabaka of Buganda and all Heads of Religious bodies in Uganda.  I greet the Government Ministers and Members of Parliament and wish you all the PEACE of God which passes all understanding.

May God continue to bless our Church, the Bishops, Clergy and all the Laity this Easter Season.  HAPPY EASTER!!!

The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi
ARCHBISHOP OF CHURCH OF UGANDA.

The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi

“GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST AND ON EARTH PEACE AMONG THOSE WITH WHOM HE IS PLEASED.” (LUKE 2:14)

Christmas comes only once a year and all must stop and pay attention whether they know it or not.  The atmosphere changes, the buying and selling fever is at its peak, those who pick-pocket are equally busy in the streets of Kampala.  The question worth asking is whether the majority of us are aware that 2000 years ago in a small town of Bethlehem God chose to enter our planet.  His coming was humble and quiet yet unsuspecting shepherds, men of no reputation had a visitation from an angel announcing this great news to them – “GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST …”

The Christmas message is about the glory of God.  He who is not approachable, invisible and awesome has become manageable in a human form.  He has come to the ones he loved from eternity and wanted to dwell among them so that they may know him.  He did not want to remain in his majesty above but came to dwell with the commoners so that he can promote them to his family, “Glory to GOD.”

“PEACE AMONG THOSE WITH WHOM HE IS WELL-PLEASED …” Peace a commodity in short supply in our world.  From homes up to international levels, there is a desperate cry for peace.  Many look for it but fail to obtain it.  Some pay for it but can’t get their money worth of it.  Others sit down to agree on it and it seems to slip away quietly as they watch it go. Finally the announcement from heaven through the mouth of angels is “PEACE, PEACE, PEACE …”

Early December, I visited the districts of Amuru and Gulu.  I saw what peace can bring to the attitude of people.  There was ease in walking, joy in voices, firm steps in dancing and energy in singing.  All these are in the context of moving from IDP camps to start life over again.  Although there is very little available but there was peace and so people have confidence in the future.

The challenge is: Will the rebels (LRA) come out openly and sign the PEACE AGREEMENT?”  Will the people in the region receive back their children who have been in the bush for all these years?  Will there be forgiveness and a chance to start life again?  Will peace be given a chance?  I call upon all Ugandans to allow the Prince of Peace – Jesus to have his rightful place in our lives to bring hope out of the despair.

On the other hand many are the crying mothers who have lost their children to child sacrifices.  Some think: If I sacrifice human blood I shall have money – then have peace and happiness.  God is grieved by such ignorance.  Innocent blood is a curse to the Nation and brings barrenness to social achievements.

Many in our society have lost their peace because of greed.  The desire to have more creates imbalance and those without resent those who have more than their fair share.  God never blesses corruption and stealing.  The Prince of Peace has been born that your hearts may know contentment and learn to give rather than take.  It is time for this country to face and deal with the ugly face of corruption if health should come to the nation.  You are created to give glory to God alone and find in him your joy, fulfillment and peace.

I call upon all Ugandans to rise up this Christmas with confidence and celebrate the truth of EMMANUEL – “God with us” to bring PEACE in our circumstances.  There is need for change in the way we treat one another.  We must pursue love and not violence in our streets.  Peaceful movement and not damage to our bodies on our roads through accidents!

I send greetings to His Excellency the President, Maama Janet and the family; The Vice President and his family; The Prime Minister and his family.

I send Christmas greetings to the Council of Presidents of Inter-religious Council of Uganda.  Co-chairs of Uganda Joint Christian Council and all Church Leaders.  I send Christian greetings to His Highness the Kabaka of Buganda and Nabagereka.

To all people of Uganda, I pray that the Peace of God will prevail in every area of your life wherever you are.  Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi
ARCHBISHOP OF CHURCH OF UGANDA.

In the Old Testament times, the Israelites lived under hundreds of regulations governing worship, relations with one another, with foreigners; regarding clean and unclean foods, rituals, and so many other dimensions of life.

We all know that humanly speaking, it was impossible for anyone to fulfil all the laws that were passed down from Moses to the Israelites. Man was perpetually in a state of broken communion with God because of the fallible nature we inherited from Adam. Indeed, David the Psalmist puts it clearly in Psalms 51:5 when he says, ‘Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.’

We are inherently sinful. Nothing can change that fact. Nothing can redeem us from ourselves, from our sinful nature. None of our acts of worship, of kindness and generosity, of tolerance and forgiveness can change the very core of who are; sinful. Nothing, that is, except the power of the resurrected Christ.

Today we remember the most significant display of God’s love for mankind; of his desire to restore communion and relationship between us and himself. We remember that when Jesus died, the sky grew dark as though night in the middle of the day; the earth shook and the rocks split. The temple curtains were ripped into two, from top to bottom. Three days after his crucifixion Jesus was raised from the dead, victorious over sin and death.

What does the resurrection of Christ mean to us? It means that we can, finally, have that relationship, that communion that God so desires for us to have with him. A relationship based on love, trust, acceptance and obedience. One where the only requirement is for one to believe and receive this gift; this free gift given once and for all the forgiveness of sin. ‘For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.’ (James 2:10). It is clear that there is no salvation in the law but rather, in Christ who came to fulfil the entire law by his death and resurrection.

As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, I would like to urge all Ugandans to embrace the freedom and peace that can only be found in Christ Jesus.

As a country we struggle with resolving regional conflicts, especially in the north and northeast.  But, through Jesus, we can be the inheritors of peace. I appreciate the efforts and progress made by the government and the LRA team in the last few weeks. I call upon the LRA and government to make every effort to ensure that peace in the Northern part of Uganda becomes a reality.

We all know that when our brothers in Kenya are in trouble, we too are in trouble. The crisis in Kenya is not felt by the Kenyans alone but by all in the region. Let us stand together with them during this trying time and help bring a lasting solution to this through prayer and supporting the refugees who have come to us. Let us open our hearts and be charitable to those in need.

As we deliberate on the land bill, I call upon all Ugandans to be tolerant of one another, just as the risen Lord instructs us to be. This is a sensitive issue and we therefore must listen to all contributions and trust the parliament to act in wisdom and do what is right for the good of our country.

May the hope that Easter brings move us in the Anglican Communion to seek Him to heal us of the pain we are going through and may Christ once again become Lord of His Church.

I send greetings to the President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, all Members of Parliament and the Judiciary, and all the people of God in Uganda.

I wish you all a joyful Easter.  God has raised Jesus from the dead and confirmed that He is the fulfilment of the law. Let us embrace the love and reconciliation that God has offered us through the death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us embrace the freedom and peace that God so freely gives through his Son Jesus Christ. May this Easter season give you the hope that because Jesus lives we too can face the challenges of tomorrow.

Happy Easter to you all!

To God be the Glory.

The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi
ARCHBISHOP

God loved the world so much that he could not imagine losing it. So, in his infinite wisdom he came up with a plan; a plan to save the world from being lost. That plan was manifested through the coming of his one and only son, Jesus Christ.

It was a plan to rescue, to save; to redeem the ones He loved. It was a plan of love. And it is because of this plan, this love; that we celebrate Christmas. Christmas commemorates the beginning of this redemption plan.

Just like we usually do, we shall sing, dance and celebrate Christmas. Many Ugandans will spend a lot of money and time celebrating Christmas. We buy gifts, spend time, travel far to be able to share this special holiday with the people we love and care for. And to do this we plan. We plan to take leave, to save money, to travel, to celebrate, to shop. All we do is out of love for those we care for; our family and friends. In all this we need to ask ourselves, where is our love for God. What is the essence of our celebration? Is it out of our love for God? Or is it just another opportunity to throw a party and spend lavishly after a year of hard work?

In 1 John, we read that we love God because he loved us first. May we always remember the true essence of Christmas. Christmas commemorates the beginning of God’s plan to save us; a plan made out of love for us. Let us, as we celebrate Christmas turn our love and affection to God, for he loved us first.

As we close the year, I’d like to commend all Ugandans for the way they have emulated God’s love for us by loving one another;

1.    During the disaster that struck the North and Eastern parts of our country in the form of floods, many of you showed brotherly love by sharing what you had, in terms of resources and prayers with those in need. Thank you for standing with your brothers.

2.    Many of you have continued to pray and support the peace process in Northern Uganda. I thank you for supporting our government in this venture.

3.    Many of you stood in solidarity with our government to welcome CHOGM. Indeed, many of you ‘embraced the world’, which is in itself an act of love. Thank you for loving Uganda, and for loving your fellow brethren in the Commonwealth Society.

May I take this opportunity to ask all God fearing and peace loving Ugandans to continue to live in peace with one another. Romans 13:8 ‘Do not owe people anything, except always owe love to each other, because the person who loves others has obeyed all the law.’ I encourage you to do this as an act of worship to God, our creator. It is only through love that we shall have lasting peace in the Northern region of Uganda.

As you celebrate Christmas, my prayer is that you will all embrace this gift of love from God. Who of you would like to have a gift you have given be rejected? Just like us, God, in whose image we are made, desires that we freely and fully accept his gift of love which he so freely gives to all who believe in him- the gift of his one and only Son, Jesus- the gift and Salvation and redemption for all mankind.

I also sincerely pray for our brethren who have been struck by Ebola, Cholera, Plague, Meningitis and even Hepatitis across our country. I call upon all Ugandans to support the government as we fight these epidemics by clearing following the safety precautions they have highlighted and by offering support and prayer to all those who have been directly affected. This is a national problem, just like the floods, the war in Northern Uganda and HIV/AIDS and we therefore need concerted efforts to fight these deadly epidemics.

I send warm Christmas greetings to President Yoweri Museveni, Maama Janet and their entire family and all our government leaders. I also send sincere greetings, along with prayers for a blessed Christmas for the Kabaka and Nabagereka of Buganda, and for our Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Pentecostal brethren, and all those who have looked in hope for the coming of our Redeemer and Saviour, Jesus.

May God bless you during this Christmas season and prosper the year 2008 as you continue to share the gift of love which he has so freely given to us all, through Jesus, His Son

To God be the glory.

The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi
ARCHBISHOP, CHURCH OF THE PROVINCE OF UGANDA

Galatians 4.4-5:  “But when the time had fully come, God sent his son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”

In ten days’ time we in Uganda, along with the rest of the world, will celebrate Christmas.  We will go to church, sing hymns, listen to the story of Jesus’ birth, and pray.  We will gather with our families and eat food.  Why?  Why do we do these things?

Because sometimes God gives us more than we ask for.

In the Old Testament, the people of Israel loved the Prophet Moses and their King, David.  When they died, the people grieved and mourned, and always wanted another Moses and another David.  God even promised he would give them another Moses.  In Deuteronomy 18.15, the Bible says, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.”

God promised that David’s Kingdom would never end.  In 2 Samuel 7.12, God says, “When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom….Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”

God’s people were longing for another Moses; they were asking for another David.  But, in the end, God gave them more than they were asking for.  God gave them not only another prophet like Moses.  God gave them not only another King like David.  God gave them His very own Son – Jesus.

My fellow Ugandans, I know we are all longing for Words of hope and Words of life – things a Prophet can bring.  I know we are all longing for godly leadership in every sphere of our family, community, and national life – things a King can bring.  We want prophets like Moses and kings like David for our country, Uganda.   But, sometimes God gives us more than we ask for.   God has given us Jesus, and I urge all Ugandans to embrace Jesus this Christmas so that, in the words of the Bible, we might “receive the full rights of sons.” (Galatians 4.5)

As I think back over the year 2006, we can see that God has actually given us more than we asked for.

•    God gave us peace during the season of our elections.  And, I want to thank, once again, all Ugandans who embraced the principles of democracy and exercised this right and responsibility by casting votes and not turning to violence.

•    God is slowly restoring peace to our beloved northern Uganda.  And, I want to really thank His Excellency, the President, for his leadership in the peace talks ongoing in Juba, and for the relative stability they have brought to the northern region.  I want to thank the LRA for humbling themselves, as God humbled Himself in the birth of Jesus, and laying down their weapons.  But, now is not the time to stop praying.  Jesus is the ‘Prince of Peace,’ and we must continue to pray and work for peace and practical reconciliation for our brothers and sisters in northern Uganda.

•    I have been asking God to give us unity in the Church of Uganda, especially among our Bishops, and I have seen God give even more than I have asked for!  Our bishops have rallied together in support of the widow of the late Bishop of Karamoja, Bishop Peter Lomongin.  They have rallied together to support the family of the retired Archbishop, Livingston Nkoyoyo, at the time of the burial of their son, Martin.  They have visited Muhabura Diocese, and through their unity and prayer, God gave us a breakthrough in that long-standing conflict.  They went to North Mbale in very large numbers to consecrate the Bishop there last Sunday, the 10th of December.  I really want to commend the leadership of our church on their commitment to unity and community.

Sometimes God really does give us more than we ask for.

So, this Christmas, may I urge all Ugandans to do three things:

1.    Jesus is God’s answer to our longings and desires.  Whatever it is you have been asking God to do in your life, this Christmas you need to know that Jesus is God’s answer to your prayer.  His presence in your life will bring more than you can ask for.  Has he redeemed you?  Have you received your “full rights” as a son?

2.    Our children who are studying at Makerere University have been sent home.  Jesus, the ‘Prince of Peace’ can bring healing to this conflict.  I ask you to pray for our leaders and lecturers to find a solution that does not compromise the education of our children.  Right now, our children are paying the price.  Pray that God will give us more than we ask for in this situation.

3.    We have been asking God for peace in northern Uganda.  Pray that God will give us more than we ask for – not only that long-term peace will return, but that northern Uganda will thrive spiritually, socially, and economically for the blessing of our country and the entire Great Lakes region.  I call upon all Ugandans to make a practical contribution towards the rebuilding of the families, farms, and infrastructure of northern Uganda.

I send warm Christmas greetings to President Yoweri Museveni, Maama Janet and the entire family and all government leaders. As our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters bid their beloved Cardinal Wamala a holy retirement, we send you our sincere Christmas greetings, along with prayers for a blessed Christmas for our Orthodox and Pentecostal brethren, and all those who have looked in hope for the coming of our Redeemer and Saviour, Jesus.

May God bless you during this Christmas season and prosper the year 2007 with more than you can ask for.  Because that is who our God is – “When the time had fully come, God sent his son… that we might receive the full rights of sons.”

To God be the glory.

The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi
ARCHBISHOP OF CHURCH OF UGANDA.

When we are told the water tank for the Archbishop’s Palace is empty (which it often is!), we say, “That is not good.”  When my wife, Mama Phoebe, discovers that the food store is empty, we say, “That is not good.”  When my driver tells me that the fuel tank in my vehicle is empty, I say, “That is not good.”

If you are like me, most of our associations with the word ‘empty’ are negative.  We think, “empty is bad, and full is good.”

Yet, Easter challenges that assumption, because it is an empty cross and an empty tomb that are central to our faith.  The resurrec¬tion from the dead of Jesus Christ sets him apart from all other human beings throughout history and especially all other religious teachers.  Buddha is dead.  Confucius is dead.  Mohammed is dead.  Jesus and Jesus alone has returned from the grave, never to die again.  Jesus is alive today!  Empty is good!

Death is the most destructive force in the world and no one else in the whole world except Jesus has overcome death by rising from the dead!  That means that those who are “in Christ” can also overcome death and all the other destructive forces at work in the world today.  In Christ, we can have victory over negative attitudes, over self-destructive behaviours and habits, over hurtful experiences, over damaging relationships, and over devastating circumstances.  Empty is good!

We are not powerless to deal with these issues in our lives!  Jesus has conquered death; He is victorious.  And, through Him, we too can be conquerors and victorious.

•    Are you struggling with anger?  Through Jesus, you can conquer anger and be victorious!
•    Are you struggling with alcohol?  Through Jesus, you can conquer alcohol and be victorious!
•    Are you struggling with lust?  Through Jesus, you can conquer lust and be victorious!
•    Are you struggling with envy or jealousy? Through Jesus, you can conquer envy and jealousy and be victorious!
•    Are you struggling with feeling inferior to others? Through Jesus, you can conquer inferiority and be victorious!
•    Are you struggling with fear? Through Jesus, you can conquer fear and be victorious!
•    Are you struggling with pride and arrogance? Through Jesus, you can conquer pride and arrogance and be victorious!

The empty cross and the empty tomb are good!  Jesus “is not here; he is risen!” (Luke 24.6)

As a country we struggle with resolving regional conflicts, especially in the north and northeast.  But, through Jesus, we can be victorious over conflict and be the inheritors of peace.  I call upon the LRA to stop shedding innocent blood.  Lay down your guns and come back home to peaceful living and build a unified Uganda.  I call upon cattle raiders to lay down your weapons and let Jesus turn your “swords into plowshares.” (Micah 4.3)  Through Jesus, together we can all be victorious.

As a country we struggle because our children die prematurely from easily preventable diseases.  But, through Jesus, we can be victorious over premature death.  I call upon all families to build and use pit latrines or toilets, to boil all drinking water, and to observe good principles of personal hygiene and community sanitation.  Through Jesus, we can be victorious!

As a country we struggle with changing weather patterns, which cause drought and lead to untold human suffering and pain.  But, through Jesus, we can be victorious.  I call upon every village and community to start planting trees and to pray daily for rain to replenish our lakes and our land.  Through Jesus, we can be victorious!

As a country we struggle with debilitating diseases like HIV/AIDS, high blood pressure, and diabetes.  But, through Jesus, we can be victorious.  I call upon every man, woman and child in Uganda to abstain from sex before marriage and to be faithful to one partner in marriage.  I urge every cook in every family to prepare low-fat, low-salt, and low-sugar meals with lots of vegetables and fruits.  Through Jesus, we can be victorious!

As a country we struggle with low self-esteem. But, through Jesus, we can be victorious.  I call upon every Ugandan to open your eyes, your mind, and your heart to see the wealth of natural resources God has given to Uganda – fertile soil, natural beauty, lakes, mountains, plains, temperate climate, minerals, and hospitable and hard-working people.  We have been given much, and Jesus said, “To whom much has been given, much will be required.”  Through Jesus, we will be victorious!

We send greetings to the President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, both new and returning Members of Parliament, all other newly elected officials, and all the people of God in Uganda.

I wish you all a joyful Easter full of personal and national victory through Jesus.  The cross is empty and the tomb is empty.  Why?  Because Jesus has conquered sin and death and been found victorious.  Through Jesus, we, too, can conquer our personal and national struggles and be found victorious!  Empty is good.  Happy Easter!

The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi
ARCHBISHOP OF CHURCH OF UGANDA.

As we begin the New Year, we are still in the twelve days of Christmas when we celebrate God’s initiative to come to us and reveal God’s love to us.  May this reality inform our New Year’s resolutions:

1.    May this be a year of showing love! Let bitterness and hatred pass with the old year and embrace love in the New Year.  Do not allow politics, greed, desire for prominence, ambition, and fear tear us apart.  Let us hold together as a nation and build a country for our children and children’s children.

2.    May this be a year of prayer!  Jesus is Emmanuel, which means ‘God with us.’  God is with us when we are confronted with challenges and difficulties, and face uncertainties.  May this be a year of prayer when all people call upon Jesus …Emmanuel…’God with us,’ especially as we are faced with change in our political transition.  A praying Nation is a winning Nation.  This is not a time for loose talk, but for prayer.

3.    May this be a year of peace!  I call upon the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) to stop shedding innocent blood, which increases curses upon our land. Lay down your guns and come back home to peaceful living and build Uganda.  I call upon all Ugandans to pursue peace – peace during our political campaigns, peace between parties, between presidential candidates, and peace in our city Kampala and other towns.  Pursue peace in your families and homes, on our roads, in our work places, and in our individual lives.

May God bless you and prosper the year 2006 with His mighty Presence for you.

The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi
ARCHBISHOP OF CHURCH OF UGANDA

18. This was how the birth of Jesus Christ took place.
His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they were married, she found out that she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit.

19. Joseph was a man who always did what was right, but he did not want to disgrace Mary publicly; so he made plans to break the engagement privately.

20. While he was thinking about this, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife. For it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived,

21. She will have a son and you will name him Jesus – because he will save his people from their sins.”

22. Now all this happened in order to make what the Lord had said through the prophet come true,

23. “A virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and he will be called Emmanuel” (which means God with us).

24. So when Joseph woke up, he married Mary, as the Angel of the Lord had told him to do.

25. But he had no sexual relations with her before the she gave birth to her son. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Greetings in Jesus’ Mighty Name this Christmas Season!
The event which is coming to us is a great reminder of God’s Devine love to the world.
All over the world excitement has seized people because the good news has hit them. Some are excited because they will buy new things, give gifts to loved ones but others are equally excited because they are going to make money by selling. Whatever the reason for celebrating Christmas, do know that God gave us His Son Jesus Christ and it is worth remembering.

Mary conceived Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit; the angel told Joseph. Being a righteous man, he would not embarrass his wife to be; Mary, by divorcing her quietly.

The Angel announced the Sex and Name of the baby. He would be born a boy and will be called Jesus.

First born son dedicated to God according to the Jewish Law. His name is His mission; the Savior of humanity from their sins.

The world needed a Savior and continues to need a Savior. Jesus the Savior was born to save us from sin.
Humanity has fallen short of the Glory of God because of our rebellion against God. We keep failing, much as we try. Our sinfulness reflects itself in our poor relationship with each other. Restlessness is another common sign of our time.

My message to the people of Uganda during this Christmas is summarized in these points;

1.    Let Christmas draw us near to God who has taken the
initiative to come to us. He came that we may know God and become his children. He has come to reveal to us God’s love. Will you take this Christmas to be an opportunity to show love to someone! Will you allow bitterness and hatred to pass with the passing year and embrace love! We need this love in our Nation today. Do not allow politics, greed, desire for prominence, ambition and fear tear you apart. Hold together as a Nation and build a country for our children and children’s children.

2.    In the coming of Jesus, a prophecy has been
fulfilled, “behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call is name Emmanuel, which means God with us.” This is an appropriate message for us today. God with us at all times is a re-assuring message. All of us must know that we are not alone.
God is with us in the times of Joy and festivities. He is with us when we are faced with challenges and difficulties. He is with us when we are perplexed. He is with us when we face uncertainties. It is easy to think that God has deserted us during times of trouble. I call upon all believers to rise up and call upon Jesus during this time when we are faced with change in our political transition. This is not time for loose talk but for prayer. Your prayer will direct the affairs of our nation. A praying Nation is a winning nation. He is with us, so you can confidently pray and He will direct the minds and actions of our leaders.

To God’s people who are in the Internally Displaced Peoples’ Camps (IDP) in Gulu, Kutgum, Lira and Katakwi Districts, god is with you. No one can shut Him out even in the Camps. Your tears and cries will continue to rise up to God for freedom. He is with you to deliver. Do not harbor any bitterness or anger against anyone because that can not help you. He is with you
(Emmanuel) to one day take you to your home.

I call upon the LRA to stop shedding innocent blood; increasing curses upon our Land. Lay down your guns and come back home to peaceful living and build Uganda.

To Government soldiers, I ask God to protect you in the execution of your duties to the nation. Defend the citizens of this Country against their enemies.

Victims of HIV/AIDS, I encourage you to know that God is with you (Emmanuel). May you receive strength and peace during this Christmas season!

As the Church of Christ remains faithfully praying that God will protect the boarder of our Nation and that his peace will enter every part of this Nation.

To the Youth, I encourage you to trust your bodies with Jesus this Festive season. He is with you at all times. He understands the pressures you go through; the need for new clothes, shoes and enjoyment. I encourage you wait upon the Lord and not to give in to the temptations of cross generation sex for material gains. God is with you and he will bring you to have all the things you need at the right time.

3.    With the coming of Jesus, we hear these words from
the Angel, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.” He is the “PRINCE OF PEACE”. May he rule our thinking and action so that we may have peace one with another!

We need peace in Uganda during our political campaigns, peace between parties, between Presidential candidates, in our city Kampala and other Towns. Peace in our homes, on our roads, May the Prince of Peace usher peace in our individual lives, homes and work places. I pray that you will allow Christ’s peace to fill your Christmas celebrations this year 2005.

I send warm Christmas greetings to President Yoweri Museveni, Maama Janet and the entire Family and all government leaders. I send warm greeting to all leaders of the Churches and all other believers.

May God bless you during this Christmas season and Prosper the year 2006 with His mighty Presence for you.