Archbishop Ssemogerere calls for deeper commitment to young people

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Delivering his homily during the Pontifical Easter High Mass at Lubaga Cathedral on Easter Sunday, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kampala, His Grace Paul Ssemogerere, called on parents, guardians, cultural leaders, government, ecclesial leaders and all other stakeholders to give greater care and guidance to children and young people, many of whom have lost hope and resorted to harmful and deadly habits in search of solace.

“Uganda is a youthful country. Young people are very active in social and ecclesial affairs. Unfortunately, many of our young people are also confused. They have lost all hope because of the many challenges that repress them. They feel neglected, misunderstood and left alone to navigate through life. They have consequently resorted to taking drugs and alcohol to reduce their pain. Butabika Hospital is full of young people who have been affected by drug abuse and the effects of broken families, absentee parents and overwhelmed guardians.”

“Dear parents, let’s not neglect our children. Success of life should not make us forget our primary duty of taking care of the children. If young people are the pillars of tomorrow, then they should be prepared now. Still, to parents, government, parliament and civil servants, silence on this matter can no longer be an option. If the trend is not checked, we are a national disaster in the making. We shall have broken individuals, broken families and a broken nation. Let’s also know that young people in drug addiction are not criminals. They are just perplexed youths crying out for help. So, we should endeavour to help them out of the problem. Let’s have rehabilitation facilities where they can be helped to heal.”

Ssemogerere also made a passionate appeal to young people.

“Dear children and young people, we acknowledge all your challenges. But please don’t lose hope. What seems impossible is possible before God. Jesus was locked up in a dark and sealed grave, but he walked out of it and gave light to the world. So, you too can prevail over your challenges, such as depression and peer pressure and redeem your hope and future. You are wonderfully made. You are our hope and future. Don’t trade your future. Don’t silence your pain by wasting your life. Look to your parents, priests and the Church for assistance and guidance. Look to Jesus Christ, our source of strength and hope. Hope does not disappoint,” Ssemogerere said.

He also asked the Catholic faithful and all Ugandans to deepen their piety and commitment to the practices of prayer, almsgiving, penance, fasting, and charity.

He said Easter signified renewal and resurrection from sin, which is why the faithful were obliged to continue with the good practices of the Lenten season.

Delivering a message from the Buganda Kingdom, Prince David Wassajja appealed to all Ugandans to nurture a culture of justice, fairness, respect and peaceful co-existence as opposed to provocation and discrimination.

He also appealed to the government, in the spirit of Easter, to consider paying the money it owes the kingdom in rental fees.

He encouraged the people of Buganda to continue working hard despite their challenges and grievances.

The State Minister for Higher Education, Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo, urged Ugandans to prepare themselves adequately for the forthcoming general elections and to vote prudently for leaders with a genuine commitment to promoting socio-economic transformation.

The mass was graced by cultural and political dignitaries, including South Sudan’s Minister for the Environment, Josephine Napwon Cosmos.