Bishop Baharagate is a man who loves God and the truth – President Museveni

President Yoweri Museveni has said that Bishop Emeritus Edward Baharagate Akiiki of Hoima is a man who loves God and the truth.
Speaking during celebration mass to mark the Bishops birthday, baptism, ordination and consecration at St. Matayo Catholic Church, Kigaaya Parish in Hoima Diocese, the President said Bishop Baharagate is a peace lover and loves God, adding that he was in conflict with the UPC Government for mistreating people including the Bishop.
He noted that there was a conflict among the various religious denominations in the country from the colonial days but was pleased to note that Bishop Baharagate was not part of the personalities causing it but instead united the people.
The retired Church leader was marking 84 years of age, 84 years of being a Catholic from his baptism, 55 years of Priesthood and 44 years as a Bishop. He was born on the 25th February 1930.
The President who was the chief guest at the celebrations congratulated the Bishop on his birthday and called on the people to look after him well and utilize him.
President Museveni said the NRM Government was the one that discovered oil in Bunyoro, adding that it was the Ugandans trained in petroleum studies including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy Kabagambe Kaliisa who discovered the oil in the country.
He stressed that the Uganda Government was determined to have its own refineries to ensure employment creation for the people and by- products to serve the country’s needs. He was pleased to reveal that the oil companies have agreed with the Government stand after a long debate to launch oil production.
President Museveni urged the people of Bunyoro to remain calm on oil issues and ignore characters spreading irrelevant talk about the oil industry. He assured the people that the first pumping and refining of the product will be launched in 2017. He called on the Banyoro not to abandon other commercial activities such as agriculture, livestock and tourism, saying such resources cannot be exhausted. He asked them to produce more food for the people working in the oil sector. He reminded them to look at oil just as a facilitator.
He pledged a donation of a vehicle to Bishop Edward Baharagate to help him in his retirement.
President Museveni thanked the people of Bunyoro and Bugangaizi for helping the NRM during the liberation struggle. He commended Uganda’s Ambassador to Burundi, Major Gen. Matayo Kyaligonza for building the St. Matayo Catholic Church in Kigaaya Parish.
The Chairman of the organizing Committee for the Bishop’s celebrations, Major Gen. Matayo Kyaligonza hailed the President for promoting the various development projects and investments in the country especially the exploitation and development of the oil sector.
He commended the President for his stand against homosexuality and for signing the anti- homosexuality bill.
Bishop Emeritus Edward Baharagate Akiiki thanked God for providing a good day and saluted President Museveni for his love and for attending his ceremony. He thanked Major General Matayo Kyaligonza for spearheading the celebrations.