President Yoweri Museveni has said the prevailing peace and security fostered by his government are what enabled him to host two Popes. The first was Pope John Paul II who visited Uganda in 1993.
Speaking to the media shortly after the Pope’s departure at Entebbe International Airport this morning, Museveni said without peace it would have been impossible to host such high profile people.
Pope Francis has concluded his three-day visit during which he led a holy mass at the martyrs’ shrine in Namungo.
Commenting on the Papal messages delivered throughout his three-day tour of Uganda, Museveni said they were good for the country and meant for not only the youth but all Ugandans.
Meanwhile, the police chief Gen. Kale Kaihura has also praised the Ugandan security agencies that have enabled the country to host the Pope without any incident.
The Pontiff was seen off at the airport by the president and the First Lady Janet Museveni among other senior government officials.
Earlier hundreds of believers braved the morning rains to line up along Entebbe Road to catch a glimpse of the Holy Father on his way to the airport.
Before the Pope and his entourage arrived at the airport, visiting South Sudan president Salva Kiir was seen off by senior government officials.
Meanwhile, Pope Francis has arrived in the Central African Republic, a country torn apart by violence between Muslim rebels and Christian militias.
This is the third and last leg of his trip after visiting Uganda and Kenya. There have been concerns about the pope’s safety ahead of his visit.
The Pope has said he is determined to bring a message of peace and hope to a country where elections are due to be held next month.
During his visit, the pontiff will celebrate Mass in the capital, Bangui, but is also expected to meet Muslim leaders and visit a mosque in the city’s Muslim enclave, known as PK5.
Story By Ivan Ssenabulya
