“UNDERSTANDING THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST”
PHILIPPIANS 3:7-11
I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Praise be to God who has enabled us to celebrate this year’s Easter season, as we commemorate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I extend my heartfelt sympathies to all who have lost their loved ones. May you be comforted by the words of our Lord in John 11:25–26, which say: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live; and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”The theme for this year in Namirembe Diocese is drawn from Job 8:20: “Behold, God will not reject a blameless man, nor strengthen the hand of evildoers.”
Let us imitate our Lord Jesus Christ, who was without blame and remained innocent even though He was accused for our sake. Indeed, God raised Him from the dead, glorified Him, and He is now seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven (1 Peter 3:22).
As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ this year, let us strive to understand the power of His resurrection— the power that brings us victory over all that weighs heavily upon our lives.
During this Easter season, I urge you to reflect deeply on the words of Paul in Philippians 3:7–11, which show us the transforming power of the resurrection. Paul looked back on his life before Christ and considered all his former achievements as loss, recognizing that true gain lies in knowing Christ and being found in Him (Philippians 3:7–9). We are likewise encouraged to pursue a deep understanding of Christ and the power of His resurrection, to share in His sufferings, and to become like Him in His death (Philippians 3:10–11). Let us put to death all sin within us—those things that hinder us from fully grasping the resurrection power of Christ. As Paul teaches, sin clouds our vision and hinders our transformation. Satan often cloaks us in sin, making it difficult to comprehend the liberating truth of the resurrection. This is evident in:-
- The increasing spread of corruption.
- The rampant land grabbing that has become normalized.
- Heinous acts such as murder, rape, defilement, and human sacrifice.
- Hatred that leads to false accusations.
- Strikes and violent demonstrations that result in the shedding of innocent blood—such as the recent mob violence in Ibanda, where an armed peacekeeper was attacked, resulting in the tragic loss of a police constable, the late Chemongese.
- Human rights violations, including abductions, unlawful arrests, and acts of torture.
- Threats to the education system, such as the proposal for URA to take over financial management of government aided schools, including faith-based institutions.
- Environmental degredation.
Let this year’s Easter celebration challenge us to reflect on our lives that we may be transformed. May the blood of our Lord Jesus, shed on the cross, cleanse us of all iniquity and lead us into the fullness of understanding His resurrection power. Let us die to sin and rise to eternal life (Romans 6:23).
As we draw closer to the 2026 General Elections, I urge all Ugandans to remain vigilant. Let us reject selfishness, conflict, and division. Instead, let us pursue peace and keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, from whom true victory and power flow. I implore you to take pride in our nation, our families, our children, and all our people.
May the resurrection of our Lord empower us to work hard, provide for our families, and contribute to the development of our Church and Nation. I extend Easter blessings to: The President of Uganda, H.E. Rtd. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Maama Janet Kataha Museveni, the Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, and all leaders at every level.
We also pray for a blessing to: The Kabaka of Buganda, Ssaabasajja Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, Maama Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda, the Princes and Princesses, and all other cultural leaders in the country. We congratulate the Kabaka on his 70th Birthday and commend the Kingdom for organizing a Marathon aimed at fighting HIV and AIDS.
To the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, Maama Margaret, the Bishops, Clergy, Lay Readers, and all God’s people, we wish you a blessed Easter.
Together with my dear wife, Rev. Canon Prof. Olivia Nassaka Banja, and our children, we wish you all a joyful and transforming Easter, as we continue to reflect on the power of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Rt. Rev. Moses Banja.
BISHOP NAMIREMBE DIOCESE.