Uganda heightens security ahead of Pope Francis visit

By

Gloria Nakiyimba

Uganda Police is to deploy 12,000 policemen when Pope Francis visits the country this week.

Security has already been heightened at the Entebbe International Airport as the country prepares for the arrival of the Holy Father on Friday 27th November for a three day visit.

A team of joint forces has been deployed along the Entebbe-Kampala Highway to patrol the route the Pope will use.

Uganda Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga says a security masterplan has been drawn up by police and sister security agencies to ensure a peaceful Papal visit.

Enanga told the media in Kampala on Monday that their specific interest and emphasis will be at Entebbe International Airport, the routes that the Pope will be following, the venues where he will be meeting several people and where he will be holding mass.

“We shall police an event at State house Entebbe, Munyonyo Uganda Martyrs Shrine, the Protestant Shrine at Nakiyanja, a Mass at  Namugongo Catholic Martyrs shrine, then  youth Kololo Independence grounds and the visit to the Bakateyamba home for the disabled, sick and the poor” he said.

Mr Enanga revealed that the Uganda People’s Defense Air Force,UPDAF, will be conducting air patrols over Kampala’s metropolitan areas to ensure safety and security of the airspace.

The Pope will be accompanied by a very strong delegation of 30 Cardinals and Bishops, 70 international journalists and 25 members of his close protection team.

This will be a record third Papal visit to Uganda, the first in July 1969 when the Holy father Pope Paul VI visited the country. In February 1993, Pope John Paul II became the second Pontiff to visit the Pearl of Africa.

After his arrival, the Pope will head directly to Entebbe State House for a meeting with his host President Yoweri Museveni, before proceeding to Kampala. Later in the evening the Holy Father will meet Catechists and teachers at Munyonyo.

On Saturday 28th, Pope Francis will head to Nakiyanja Anglican Martyrs shrine where he will conduct a short meditation prayer in the morning and later proceed to Namugongo Catholic Martyrs Shrine where he will conduct Holy Mass starting at 9:30.

The Holy See is scheduled to meet the Youth at Kololo Independence Airstrip, and later visit Nalukolongo Mapeera Bakateeyamba’s Home to meet the sick and handicapped.

On the same day Pope Francis Pope will meet Bishops at the Archbishop’s residence in Lubaga and also meet the clergy at Rubaga Cathedral.

The Pope will leave Uganda on the 29th for his trip to Central African Republic.

Gloria Nakiyimba

Gloria has experience spanning more than five years in Journalism, particularly in field reporting, editing, newscasting and management. She is currently working with Capital Radio Limited [91.3 Capital FM and 96.8 Beat FM] as Head of News, a position she has held since 2010.

Gloria previously worked as the Kampala Correspondent for Radio France International [RFI] generating local story leads with international inference for RFI’s global audience. She also served as Political Editor for The Weekly Mail Newspaper as well as Online Content Editor for the California based Ugandan broadcaster KubutakaRadio.com.