Pope’s visit to Uganda Extended

You won’t believe to here this but the long awaited visit by the Pope (Pope Francis) was canceled. His visit was to grace the celebration of the golden jubilee of the canonization of Uganda Martyrs at Namugongo Pilgrimage site. Cultural Safaris in Uganda was one of the guaranteed improvements that the country expected as a result of this visit. The event had been scheduled to take place on 18th October, 2014 but following the letter that was sent by the Pope to Uganda, it stated that he was unable to make the trip.

After receiving an invitation last year, the pope immediately confirmed that he will grace the event but it was last Friday when news reached that due to prior commitments, the Pope is unable to make it this year. This prompted the organizing team to postpone the national celebrations until further notice.

According to Gulu Archbishop John Baptist Odama (who chairs the Episcopal Conference),he said that the church will continue to pray that the Pope’s schedule allows him to visit the country in the near future.

The Vatican spokesperson Fr Federico Lombard earlier this year said that the pope is only considering Holy trips to South Korea and Asia as the only planned voyage in the year a statement that raised doubt about his visit to Uganda.

Many tour operators had started smiling because of the pope’s visit due to its impact on the tourism sector with an increase in Uganda Safaris specifically cultural visits. The pope moves with many people on his various visits and at the same time, other visitors from different parts of the world are attracted to follow him whenever he goes. This was to be the same case with Uganda and as a result, visitors could be convinced to stretch to the National Parks and enjoy a wide variety of attarctive activities like Gorilla tracking, game viewing, chimpanzee trekking, bird watching and many more.

Pope Francis was elected to office on 13th March 2013 and since then, he has been visiting various countries where encouraging people to keep their faith. Honoring of the 5o years celebration of the Uganda Martyrs canonization was one of his trips for this year but it was postponed. Many Ugandans make pilgrimages to Namugongo on 3rd June every year simply to remember the Martyrs who were burnt alive because of their faith by the Kabaka of Buganda. While at Namugongo, there are many historical objects and paintings that portray the history about the Martyrs. This is why the place also acts as one of the leading destinations for cultural safaris in Uganda.

I t is on record that Uganda last hosted a Pope on March 1993 and by then, it was Pope John Paul II in office and he prayed at Soroti and Gulu districts. He also prayed at Nakivubo stadium before visiting the Namugongo Martyrs shrine. During that time, there was a record increase in the number of Uganda Safaris as many tourists came to see the Pope.These visitors were impressed with the beauty and atmosphere of this great nation and in the long run, they were convinced to visit it’s National Parks. Some visitors did not know about the beautiful nature that Uganda has but as they escorted the Pope, they were surprised by what they saw. They were forced to explore more about this pearl of Africa and they were impressed by the adventure. Many of them were induced to make repeated visits ever since that time and both cultural and Uganda Safaris have increased.

However, hope is not lost among the local people who believe that God will bless the pope and also prevail time for him to visit the country.The tour operators are also praying that the man of God comes and Uganda Safaris increase so as to earn some money.