Stakeholders lobby for Mamre Prayer Palace be listed as national tourist site

A cross section of members of parliament and christians are  lobbying the government to consider expanding the national tourism heritage potential by adding new sites to boost incomes int

The development came to light yesterday during the commemoration of the 60^th national martyr’s day animated mass at the Mamre prayer palace Namugongo  Wakiso district under the theme ‘fear not, for am with you’ [Isaiah 40;10].

The event was hosted by the charismatic ecumenical church of Uganda [CECU] which brought together over a dozen Bishops and Pilgrims drawn from Zambia, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Kenya Tanzania, D R Congo and Uganda respectively.

The CECU chairperson Bishop Jacinto Kibuuka told the christians that their church is blessed with several tourist attraction sites given its proximity with the Anglican Church of Uganda where most martyrs were killed in cold blood therefore the need for its recognition as a potential tourism site.

‘As a church which is strategically located in the proximity of the nearby Anglican church of Uganda where most martyrs were killed at Nakiyanja, we pray that the government moves forward to recognize this facility located at Janda  which is home to a key  potential tourist attraction’ noted Kibuuka.

The Elgon North county MP in Bulambuli district Gerald Nangoli said he would take up the matter with the parliamentary tourism select committee to ensure that a technical team is sent to study the potential of this place as demanded by policy so that it can be formerly designated as a tourist site.

He pointed out the Mamre church location is very adjacent to the Anglican church martyrs site and all efforts need to be reached  such that  as  international tourists who visit the nearby Anglican church Museum and martyrs shrine can as  well cross over to this area and effectively raise revenue for the government’ noted Nangoli.

A delegation of Bishops under CECU led by Bishop Hannington Bahemuka serving as vice chairperson of CECU thanked the president  for granting worship freedoms which gesture has led to the steady growth and expansion of their church Network.

“we wish to thank and appreciate the president of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for deliberately opening up the  worship  environment which has created an opportunity resulting in the  spreading of the spiritual nourishment programs to the Christian citizens of the East African community  and beyond’ observed Bishop Bahemuka.

Former minister Abdu Naduuli  said despite being a Muslim, he strongly supports all  religions which have strategic  programs that lead to  the empowerment of its flock in fighting poverty as well as preaching positive messages of hope and transformation.

Naduuli urged that people should only embrace religions that have both a mission and purpose of helping to empower its worshippers with messages of both spiritual nourishment in nature and economic empowerment in line with the government development driven agendas.

Local christians who attended the mass appreciated Bishop Kibuuka for hosting a successful mass saying they will continue supporting the programs and projects of the church for the good of all stakeholders.