Addressing journalists at his residence at Kasangati, Besigye says the pope should also pray for Museveni and the nation to have a peaceful campaign and electoral period since he is the most holy person on earth.

With this, Besigye is optimistic that the Pope’s words of wisdom to president Museveni will create a positive impact in the country’s political sphere. Besigye says he will also attend the mass at Namugongo come Saturday as the Pope prays for the nation.

However, Besigye lauds all the  people who have supported him where he has gone on his campaign trail saying this gives him hope that Ugandans are ready for change adding that more NRM members have continued to defect to FDC on grounds that the NRM is operating out of the laws. He also paraded one of the former contestants in the primaries in Bukomansimbi, one Salama Nakandi the deputy speaker for Bukomansimbi district and the youth leader who declared his allegence to FDC.

Pope Francis arrived in Kenya on Wednesday, at the start of a three-nation tour of Africa visiting Kenya, Uganda and Central African Republic. The Pontiff has urged Kenyans to work for peace and reconciliation.

The team leader for the construction of the Protestants shrine at Namugongo, Rt. Archbishop of the church of Uganda, H.G. Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo confirms that preparation works at the shrine are almost done as now they are making final touches on the works.

Addressing journalists at the site after a tour of the work with the advance team of the Pope yesterday, Nkoyoyo confirmed that by the time the pope arrives at the shrine on Saturday this week all will be set though he mentions that work will continue after the pope’s visit as their plan for the site is not yet complete. He further notes that there will be a service and blessing from the Pope who will tour the site for only 20 minutes before heading to the catholic shrine.

He also urges all believers to come and welcome the Pope and also come along with some money to contribute towards the construction of the sites saying more work still needs to be done.

Members and staff of Parliament led by the Clerk to Parliament, Mrs. Jane Kibirige and  Mawokota south MP Kenneth Bbosa Kiyingi have contributed to the fundraising drive towards the preparation for the Papal visit, next week. The fundraising drive involved the MPs and staff purchasing over 50 souvenir rosaries from the Vision Group. The proceeds from the sale of the rosaries will be used to renovate the Namugongo Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine and other preparations around the Papal visit. These rosaries were imported from Italy, Rome and were blessed by the Pope.

Mrs. Kibirige said the Parliament was more than willing to support the Catholic Church towards the Papal visit preparations.

The proceeds from the sale were received by Mr. Robert Kabushenga, the CEO of Vision Group who is at the forefront of the fundraising drive. Kabushenga expressed his gratitude towards the solidarity shown by Parliament.

“We have been doing whatever we can to see that we are ready for the Pope when he visits the country next week and on behalf of the Catholic Church, we are welcoming any support extended towards us,” Kabushenga said. “I am pleased to be here today and happy that Parliament has joined us in this drive,” he added.

Kabushenga said that the names and the funds collected will be taken to Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga  who will acknowledge receipt and take note of all those who have contributed to the cause. The fundraising drive spearheaded by the CEO Vision Media Group, Robert Kabushenga and the Catholic Church is in a bid to prepare ahead of the special visit of Pope Francis from 27th November to 29th November 2015. The funds will go towards the renovation of the Namugongo and Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrines.