Easter is one of the most important holidays in the Christian faith. It’s a time of renewal, a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and a day that brings millions together around the country.
According to accounts in the New Testament, Mary Magdalene and others went to Christ’s tomb on Sunday morning after he had been crucified on Friday. They found the tomb open, with the stone rolled away, and an angel told them, “He is not here. He is risen.”
For believers, the story of Christ’s resurrection is the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy and the source of faith in an afterlife.
This year, though, Easter services in Uganda will look much different as believers adapt to stay-at-home orders in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The use of technology will allow Christian leaders to share the Gospel via various digital platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Zoom and Twitter among others.
Norbert Mao, the president of the Democratic Party stated that Easter is a reminder of how faith is central to a Christian’s life. According to him, the Passion of Christ is a call for Ugandans to reflect on the need for sacrifice as the path to redemption.
“The symbolism of the collapse of temporal powers and the resurrection of Christ in Spirit is a powerful rebuke of our obsession with worldly things. It is a reminder that while all things shall pass away, the Word of God endures,” Norbert Mao said.
The 53-year-old stressed that the coronavirus pandemic is not only a test of the extent to which the human body can withstand disease, it is also a test of the human spirit and its capacity to overcome adversity.
“While the days are dark, we should not lose hope. The darkest part of the night is just before daybreak. The skies that have been darkened by the coronavirus pandemic shall become clear again. The sun will show it’s face again. The light of hope and healing will push away the shadow of death and despair. We shall not only survive this pandemic. We shall prevail over it. Despite the restrictions and deprivations, let’s celebrate Easter with love in our hearts and hope in the future. I wish everyone a blessed Easter,” he said.
Moving on, the Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Hon Judith Nabakooba called Easter ‘God’s blessing to the world.’
“It is His way of telling us that love and hope still exist in the World,” she said. “During this national response against COVID-19, let our homes be places of love and hope, let us say no to domestic violence . Just us our Lord triumphed over death, let our homes be places where we triumph over this coronavirus.”
Amidst the ongoing crisis, People’s Government President Kizza Besigye urged that Ugandans ought to glorify God in every situation.
He quoted 1 Peter 4:7 which says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you.”
“The symbolism of Easter should never be lost on us. The persecution, death and resurrection of Jesus we celebrate is the rebirth of man – to love all; to care for all; to share and to show empathy to all,” Dr Kizza Besigye who is a four-time Presidential candidate said.
On behalf of Parliament, the Speaker, Rt Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga prayed that the joy of Easter fills all Ugandans with love and peace.
“This is not how we planned to celebrate Easter holiday, but I urge you all to make the most of the situation with which we are faced. Let us take this time as we stay indoors to celebrate… what Easter means to us,” she said.
“Christ sacrificed His life so we may have life. Let is also sacrifice a bit of what we have and share it with the vulnerable communities around us,” she went on.
Kadaga encouraged Ugandans to commit to prayer and being better people. She hopes Uganda will come out of the COVID-19 crisis victorious just as Jesus did when He rose from the dead.
Former Leader of Opposition and Kasese District Woman Member of Parliament Winnie Kiiza said Easter is a reminder that “no matter how astray we may have gone, there’s still hope that we can do better.”
“This is what Jesus was showing to the world when He died and rose again – It’s renewed hope,” she said.
