“ But the angel said to the women, “ Do not be afraid, for I know that you seeks Jesus who was crucified.” Mathew 28:5

I greet you all in the name of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ our Saviour.

I congratulate all of you for being the witness of this year’s Easter Celebrations! We are mindful of many of our people who have gone before us to be with the Lord Jesus.  The very recent death is of Bishop Prof. Michael Ssenyimba.  Our prayers are directed towards Maama Esther Ssenyimba, Children, Family members, Church of Uganda, Obwa Kabaka bwa Buganda and Uganda Government.  May the resurrection power of Our Lord Jesus Christ comfort you all as we remember our dear ones.

Allow me to congratulate all our children who sat for their P.L.E., UCE and UACE 2023, we appreciate the Headteachers, Staff and Parents of all our schools for registering great success out of those examinations.  Praise the Lord.  

On another note, I congratulate the Christians in Luweero Diocese for the election, consecration and enthronement of the New Bishop of Luweero Diocese the Rt. Rev. Wilson Kisekka.  Congratulations also to North Ankole Diocese upon the election of Ven. Canon Alfred Muhoozi as Bishop of that Diocese. 

Easter season brings good news full of hope in all our hopeless situations of life.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ removes fear in our lives.  The women who went to the tomb were afraid on seeing an empty tomb. (Matthew 28:5-6).  The Angel of the Lord said to the women; “Do not be afraid, I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here for He has been raised, stop being afraid.”  There is nothing to be afraid of, when God keeps His promise.   The angel of the Lord sent the women to go quickly and tell His Disciples that He is risen from the dead.  Matthew 28:7.  It is our responsibility as believers to tell others about the Good News of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Fellow Ugandans, there are many things in life today that keep us in fear.  Such include false teachings, Land grabbing, Poverty, Corruption increasing, Road Accidents in the Country, moral decadence, impunity, killings like the recent murder of Omutaka Eng. Daniel Bbosa Lwomwa, Ndiga Clan Head and many others.  These evils are a result of too much love for money.  In Paul’s letter to 1Timothy 6:10 he says, “for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils…”

I therefore encourage you all to embrace the message brought by the angel of the Lord, not to fear, for Jesus Christ who was crucified is risen. It is our duty to put to death all those things that cause fear.  The mighty resurrection power of our Lord Jesus Christ surpasses our fears.  Allowing Jesus to take control of all our challenging situations is enough to wipe away all our fears.  So stop being afraid, Jesus is alive today, this message brings hope.

I encourage all of us to go and tell others the good news of the risen Christ. Build your hope on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.  Let us wholly trust in Jesus’ name and Christ alone be the Cornerstone to build our Life.  May our Nation Uganda be built on nothing less but on Jesus’ blood and righteousness.  We will have a strong nation, full of love for one another.  If we do so this Easter celebrations will be meaningful and successful.  We will achieve a lot in this year’s Easter Celebrations.  To God be the Glory.

Enjoy the fruits of these year’s Easter Celebrations as family, church and nation at large.

Happy Easter to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Maama Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni the first Lady and Minister of Education and Sports and Cabinet Ministers, Ssabasajja Kabaka wa Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II and Maama Nabagereka Sylvia Nagginda, Abalangira n`abambejja, The Katikkiro of Buganda Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga and all other Cultural Leaders in this Country, the Archbishop of the Province of the Church of Uganda, Bishops, Clergy, Layreaders and all of you, people of God.  Have a blessed and peaceful Easter full of joy and happiness.

May the power of God which rolled the stone away, remove all our fears and cover us with the power of the risen Lord Jesus Christ that brings back life to our dead circumstances of life.

My wife Rev. Canon Prof. Oliva Nassaka Banja and our Children join me to wish you all a blessed Easter.

The Rt. Rev. Moses Banja

BISHOP, NAMIREMBE DIOCESE