An unforgettable moment: Jessica holds the Lugwere New Testament for the first time. (Wycliffe Bible Translators UK Photo)
More and more copies of the New Testament bible translation in Lugwere launched recently are reaching the hands of local people in eastern Uganda.
They are now eagerly awaiting the complete translation of the Old Testament and the day they can read their full Bible.
This is according to Wycliffe Bible Translators UK, a charity organisation that exists to enable people from every nation, people group and tongue to engage with the Bible in a language which speaks to their heart.
In a report, Wycliffe Bible Translators UK said the New Testament bible translation in Lugwere language has spread to districts including Budaka, Kibuku and Pallisa.
“The people feel proud to have their own Bible translations and are happily using these in their churches,” Wycliffe Bible Translators UK revealed in the report. “Increasingly, congregations are calling for all readings to be done in Lugwere and understanding of the Bible is growing.”
The church and community has also made a huge step forward in financially contributing towards translation of the Old Testament.
This week on Monday, 29 July 2019 in Budaka District, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah called on the Bagwere to use the teachings in the Bible as a unifying factor.
He said that friendship defies religious, political and tribal divides adding that “in building unity, we need to bring in the aspect of friendship and it should be in everything we do”.
The District Chairperson, Sam Mulumi said that it was worth celebrating the milestone of translating the New Testament of the Bible, something that has fostered unity among the residents.
“This is a spiritual matter which in the spiritual realm broke the yoke that has been on the neck of the Bagwere. We request that you remind President Yoweri Kaguta to fulfill his promise so that the second phase of translating the Old Testament can take place,” he added.
Hon. Robert Kasolo (NRM, Iki-Iki County), said that the translation of the Bible had brought people closer.
“The Bible has been translated so that you can all read for yourself, understand and teach your offspring so that they know the word of the Lord,” Kasolo said.
Oulanyah contributed shs5 million at the translation project.
Parliament Press contributed to this report.
