At noon, EAT, the Regional Africa Madagascar Superior, Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, the Provincial of the African Great Lakes, Fr. Pierre Célestin Ngoboka, Salesian confreres in Uganda, Salesian Cooperators, and a student delegation from Don Bosco Nursery and Primary School Namugongo received His Eminence, Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime upon his arrival at Entebbe International airport. Subsequently His Eminence was received at the Salesian Community Namugongo by the brass band.
Present at a dinner event later in the evening, we were joined by the Archbishop of Kampala, His Grace Paul Ssemogerere, the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, His Grace Louis Bianco, the mayor of Kira Municipality among other guests.
The provincial Superior AGL, the mayor, and the rector of Namugongo extended welcome to everyone and gratitude to the works of the Salesians. “Feel at home” said the rector of Namugongo community, Fr. Pascal Shauri
His Grace, Rt. Rev. Dr. Paul Ssemogerere not only awarded His Eminence with the Uganda Martyrs effigy but also thanked the SDB ministry at his Archdiocese.
“ Your Eminence, please send us more Salesian Missionaries, not only in this Archdiocese but to Uganda at large, as witnessed by your results ”, he said.
The apostolic nuncio extended his gratitude and best wishes for the ministry of the SDB and wished His Eminence many blessings. In his remarks, Cardinal Angel expressed appreciation to both the Archbishop of Kampala and the Apostolic Nuncio, emphasizing joy for permitting the SDB mission in Kampala Archdiocese. “I, with great joy, thank everyone for this opportunity, the SDB, the Salesian family, and religious, political, and civic leaders for this chance. We can do more for the young people” he said.
The children of St. Mary’s Namaliga Bombo and Don Bosco Nursery and Primary School colored the evening with a variety of entertainment that made everyone pleased. The dinner was concluded by a blessing from Rt. Rev. Dr. Paul Ssemogerere, the archbishop of Kampala.
Deacon Godwin Cekecan, sdb
