Museveni Asked Archbishop to Halt Mass for Besigye, Says Winnie Byanyima

Tension and disappointment marked the atmosphere at St Mary’s Cathedral, Lubaga, on Monday afternoon after a Mass that had been scheduled to pray for detained opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye and other prisoners was postponed at the last minute.

The 2:00 p.m. Mass was expected to be presided over by the Archbishop of Kampala, His Grace Paul Ssemogerere. However, as the conclusion of the regular lunch-hour Mass, Cathedral Administrator Fr Achilles Mayanja announced that the special Mass had been postponed until further notice.

“The Mass that had been organised to pray for political prisoners, scheduled for 2:00 p.m., has been postponed until further notice,” Fr Mayanja informed the congregation.

Following the announcement, some of the opposition figures present, led by Winnie Byanyima, the wife of Dr Besigye, entered the church and held private prayers.

Addressing journalists inside the Cathedral, Byanyima alleged that Archbishop Ssemogerere had received a telephone call from President Yoweri Museveni on Sunday, requesting the cancellation of the Mass.

“The Archbishop, Paul Ssemogerere, told me that he had received a call from President Yoweri Museveni asking him to cancel the Mass. He pleaded with him not to cancel it and explained that this is Catholic tradition, and that I had come to ask for prayers for my husband during this period of Lent,” Byanyima said.

She added that, according to the Archbishop, the President later agreed that the Mass be postponed to allow for what she described as an investigation, as there were concerns that the gathering could be political in nature.

Byanyima said the Archbishop would wait to hear back before a new date is set for prayers for Dr Besigye and other prisoners.

A week earlier, during a private meeting attended by several people, including some government officials, Byanyima had invited friends and supporters of Dr Besigye to attend the planned Mass.

“When you love someone and they are arrested, you should visit them in prison. Why are you afraid to visit my husband? If you fear anything happening, then go as a group. Also visit other prisoners,” she said.

She mentioned other detainees, including Jolly Tukamushaba and Dr Lina Zedriga, who were arrested around the time of the January 16 general election. Byanyima said she and other women had raised money to support their children but had struggled to find someone willing to deliver it.

She questioned why many Ugandans were afraid to support families in need and warned that the situation facing opposition figures could happen to anyone.

“I am not encouraging anyone to be reckless,” she said. “But I encourage you to work together, ask the right questions, and stand up for what is right.”

Byanyima also revealed that Archbishop Ssemogerere had previously supported her family during his time as Parish Priest of Christ the King Catholic Parish in Kampala and had agreed to lead the Mass.

However, she said he cautioned her against turning the church service into a political event.

“I visited him and asked if he would say Mass for my husband. He told me he was also under pressure, but he agreed to lead the Mass on condition that it would not be turned into a political gathering,” she said.

The postponed Mass had been scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Lubaga Cathedral.