The postponed mass formed part of a week of prayer activities declared by the PFF to mark the anniversary of Besigye’s sustained detention and to amplify calls for adherence to the rule of law, respect for human rights, and peaceful political dialogue.
What was meant to be a solemn afternoon of prayer at Rubaga Cathedral instead turned into a moment of uncertainty and quiet protest, after church authorities postponed a highly anticipated Holy Mass dedicated to Dr. Kizza Besigye and other political detainees.
The Mass, scheduled for 2:00pm had drawn supporters and prominent political figures to the cathedral grounds in Kampala. Among those present were Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, leaders of the newly registered People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), and officials from the National Unity Platform led by Secretary General David Louis Rubongoya, among others.
But just before the final blessing during the afternoon mass, the cathedral administrator, Rev. Father Achilles Mayanja, announced that the special Mass would be postponed “till further notice.” The brief statement offered no detailed explanation from the pulpit.
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Sources within the cathedral later indicated that church leadership had received communication from government authorities advising against holding the mass. Earlier in the day, digital fliers circulated on the cathedral’s official platforms had already notified the public of the postponement.
Despite the announcement, many who had gathered chose to remain within the cathedral grounds. Some prayed quietly in small groups, while others appealed to church leaders to reconsider, saying the mass was intended as a peaceful act of faith and solidarity.
Dr. Kizza Besigye, a veteran opposition figure, has been on remand at Luzira Maximum Security Prison since November 2024. He was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, and later charged with treason and related offences — accusations he strongly denies. His continued detention, now stretching beyond a year, has drawn criticism from supporters, human rights advocates, and opposition politicians.
According to his allies, the planned Mass was not solely about Besigye’s release but also about highlighting the plight of other political prisoners across Uganda. Byanyima has previously said she sought a list of detained opposition members and was provided with more than 600 names, underscoring what supporters describe as a broader pattern of prolonged detentions.
The postponed mass formed part of a week of prayer activities declared by the PFF to mark the anniversary of Besigye’s sustained detention and to amplify calls for adherence to the rule of law, respect for human rights, and peaceful political dialogue.
For many who gathered at Rubaga Cathedral, the deferral of the Mass only deepened the symbolism of the day — turning what was meant to be a collective prayer into a fresh chapter in Uganda’s ongoing political tensions.