By Paul Mallimbo, Kampala
President Yoweri Museveni has said that the former Tanzanian President, the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, is the greatest black man who has ever lived.
The President was on 1st June paying his tribute to the late Tanzanian leader during a church ceremony held at Namugongo Basilica, the Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine near Kampala to mark the 5th Julius Kambarage Nyerere Day. The day is marked annually to pray for the repose of the soul of the late Mwalimu so that the church recognizes to be acknowledged a Servant of God towards the cause of his beautification. The 1st of June, acknowledged as the Namugongo Nyerere Day, lays emphasis on prayer in order to spread the cause of the beatification of Mwalimu to the whole world.
The day attracted believers from Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and other countries as they also prepare for the annual Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations that take place on 3rd June.
President Museveni noted that the former Tanzanian leader practiced his Christian faith here on earth by taking care of the lives of people. He also said that Nyerere spearheaded the political and spiritual struggle as well as the promotion of education. He added that Nyerere was a pioneer in the struggle for economic emancipation of the African continent. Mr. Museveni, therefore, lauded him for establishing Dar - es - Salaam University and for launching free education in the United Republic of Tanzania. He expressed happiness to note that Africa is getting out of darkness through the promoting of education.
Regarding the Namugongo grounds, President Museveni said that it is an area of a spiritual struggle and reminded the congregation that the Christian religious believers were, at the time of the martyrdom of the Christian converts, in conflict with some of the bad practices of the traditional leaders in Buganda.
President Museveni pledged that “we shall continue coming to Namugongo to pray for the beautification and finally for Mwalimu’s canonization. If we continue knocking and asking, Rome will open for us.”
He was happy to see that the people of Tanzania have continued to come to pray for Mwalimu Nyerere’s beautification.
Bishop Emeritus, Rt. Rev. Edward Baharagate, who was the main celebrant said that Mwalimu Nyerere is a servant of God and that the church is in the process of beatifying him.
The Tanzanian Prime Minister, Mr. Mizengo Peter Pinda, in a speech read on his behalf by State Minister Ms. Mary Michael Nangu, saluted President Museveni for sparing time to attend the intersession prayer at Namugongo for Mwalimu Nyerere.
He commended Mr. Museveni and other Ugandans for recognizing the contribution of Mwalimu towards the welfare of mankind. He said Mwalimu’s case of beatification was beyond Tanzania.
Speaking on behalf of the Nyerere family, Mr. Charles Makongoro Nyerere thanked President Museveni and other Ugandan Christians for their hospitality during their numerous visits to Uganda.
Rev. Fr. Alfred Kwene, who represented Bishop Michael Msonganzila of Musoma Diocese, congratulated the people of Tanzania for producing a President who is blessed.
At the same occasion, the Mayor of Kira County, Mr. Mamerito Mugerwa said it is God who chooses leaders and He is the one who chose President Museveni. He prayed to God to give blessings to the late Mwalimu Nyerere.
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