President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni hosted His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodore II, at State House, Entebbe.
Pope Theodore II, the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, leads one of the oldest Christian patriarchates. Based in Alexandria, Egypt, he oversees the Greek Orthodox Church’s presence across the continent.
During their meeting, President Museveni and Pope Theodore II discussed the importance of religious harmony, unity, and the role of faith in promoting peace and development in Africa.
Pope Theodore II commended President Museveni for his commitment to religious freedom in Uganda and for fostering an inclusive environment for all faiths.
“Your Excellency, we bring you the gratitude of the Orthodox Church for the warm reception we have received. We feel great joy that you are a father to His Eminence Metropolitan Jeronymos Muzeeyi, the Archbishop of the Orthodox Church in Uganda,” the Pope said.
He highlighted the strong ties between Uganda and the Orthodox Church, noting that Metropolitan Muzeeyi enjoys a peaceful relationship with Uganda’s leadership.
“Whenever he is in Egypt, we are always happy to receive him, and I know that his heart is at peace because of you. May the Lord bless you,” he added.
Pope Theodore II also acknowledged Uganda’s efforts in fostering regional peace, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the Orthodox Church actively supports children and orphanages.
“We respect both Muslims and Christians alike. We also recognize that fundamentalism exists in various forms, and we pray that the Lord grants you, Your Excellency, and Maama good health and strength to continue leading with wisdom,” he remarked.
As part of their engagements in Uganda, the Pope and his delegation are set to visit Lwemiyaga before proceeding to Gulu.
President Museveni emphasised the importance of mutual respect among different religious and cultural groups, referencing the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan.
“Jesus was clear—judge people by their actions, not their words or claims. Those who disturb others in the name of religion are misguided,” he said, condemning religious extremism.
He also drew from African cultural values, stressing the tradition of respecting others’ beliefs.
“I once told former Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir that my list of haram is longer than his. I don’t eat fish—I call it a snake. I don’t eat chicken or many other things because of our ridges. But in African culture, even when my neighbours eat these things, we respect one another and live in peace,” he noted.
Addressing the dangers of identity politics, President Museveni warned against sectarianism.
“If I fail to respect someone because they are not from my tribe, then I am my own enemy. We reject sectarianism because even Jesus did not preach division,” he stated.
The meeting was also attended by Vice President H.E Jessica Alupo, Archbishop Jeronymos Muzeeyi of the Orthodox Church in Uganda, and other dignitaries.
