The head of the Orthodox Church in Uganda, Archbishop Metropolitan Jonah Lwanga, received theatening messages before his death but disregarded them -his family said.
This revealation came during the requiem mass held Saturday at St Nicholas Church, Namungoona, following the arrival of Lwanga’s body back from Anthens, Greece where he breathed his last on September 5, 2021.
While speaking during the prayers, Lwanga’s brother, Nathan Muwanga said, one day, the Archbishop received death threats on his phone, alegedly relating to his character of speaking boldly against evils committed by those with authority and power.
Family members claim that the messages warned that Lwanga would be harmed something he took lightly, though, they (family) didn’t and opted to follow up the matter.
“The Archbishop asked us, ‘why and what are you following up and how far are you going to pursue the issue?’ He told us to rest the matter and forgive ‘his enemies’ as prescribed in the Gospel” Lwanga’s brother said.
The prayers were led by the head of Orthodox Church of Nairobi, Makarios Tillyrides.
Mourners eulogized Archbishop Lwanga as a nationalist, a hero and a Champion who fought for rights of all people. Archbishop Lwanga’s death was attributed to prostate cancer and died after a long illness.
Lwemiyaga MP, Hon Theodre Sekikuubo who was the chief mourner described Archbishop Lwanga as a selfless leader who hated the corrupt, and never believed in earthly treasures. He said Lwanga owned only two pairs of open shoes and held no bank account.
Sekikuubo also revealed that Archbishop Lwanga refused to ride in the car which was given to him as a gift from president Yoweri Museveni.
He said Lwanga was bitterly enraged by parliament’s decision to lift age cap from the Constitution allowing every Ugandan above the age of 18 to contest for presidency.
According to the tentative burial program, there will be another requiem mass on Sunday and Archbishop Lwanga will be buried on Monday at St. Nicholas Cathedral Namungoona.
Government of Uganda announced it will cater for all burial expenses in sending off Archbishop Lwanga and President Yoweri Museveni also tasked the Vice President Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo to oversee burial preperations.