Added 25th December 2020 10:33 PM
CHRISTMAS DAY 2020
After 358 strange - and in many ways mostly difficult - days, we finally got to this day: Christmas, an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. But many have not.
Nearly two million people across the world have succumbed to COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Others have died of other causes in a year flipped upside down by the coronavirus pandemic. Uganda, like almost every other country out there, has not been spared either.
In a new era of modifications to stem the spread of the marauding virus, many Ugandans made sure to drive, ride or walk to their respective places of worship to join in prayer and celebrate the birth of Christ. And our ubiquitous cameras were there to capture the moments.
We have rounded up the day's work from all parts of the country and picked out 50 pictures for illustration. Take a look:
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Some of the streets in Kampala were forlorn Friday. And they typically are - many people prefer to leave the city and travel to the countryside to spend the festive season with their families.
In the days when Herod was king of Judea, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth in Galilee to announce to a virgin named Mary, who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, that a child would be born to her and she was to name him Jesus, for he would be the son of God and rule over Israel forever.
Most of us have an idea of how the Christmas story goes, right?
Every child born is seen as a blessing from God. And when a baby's birth coincides with that of Jesus, many consider the blessing to be magnified two-, three- or a million-fold. Every year has Christmas babies, and 2020, even with its oddness, has been no different.
Here are the ones born at China-Uganda Friendship Hospital Naguru:
Baby Mary with her mother Rose Kwagala . . .
Feddy Nakalema from Mutungo grinned as she cradled her baby girl.
Irene Alimoncan from Butabika was blessed with baby Chris.
A good name to match the day!
It was time for mother-baby bonding as Julian Ariho lay peacefully with her baby girl, who was wide awake.
Meanwhile, some people, like this elderly man at Kaberamaido Main Town Market in Kaberamaido district, decided to do last-minute shopping.
A similar scene many miles away at Kagadi Daily Market in Kagadi district.
The festive season is typically good business time. Not always though. But when you see a vendor wearing a smile, you know business is fairly good. Or very good!
Church time.
In Mbale, standard operating procedures (SOPs) were a must at St. Andrew's Cathedral.
Worshippers had to wash their hands at the point of entry.
Wearing of masks and temperature checking was mandatory too.
Sanitizers were also available.
Bishop Patrick Gidudu of Mbale Diocese, who led the prayers here, preached peace, especially during the ongoing campaigns period.
Social distancing had to be observed as another of several SOPs in places of worship.
It was a similar picture inside All Saints Church, Mbarara during the Christmas service led by Rev. Canon Bobs Mwesigye.
Christians were determined to go for Christmas prayers.
At St. Peter's Cathedral in Soroti, Bishop Kosea Odongo, seen below fist-bumping with a young believer, dedicated the Christmas prayers for peace and unity.
It was a day of praise and worship at All Saints Cathedral in Kampala.
Here, Archbishop of Church of Uganda Stephen Kaziimba rallied Ugandans to respect and live in peace with one another.
At Miracle Centre Cathedral, Christians got immersed in prayer and worship.
Senior Pastor Robert Kayanja led the prayers.
The bishop of Mukono diocese, James William Ssebaggala, preached the need for respect of human rights at Mukono Cathedral.
SOPs were observed . . .
At Rubaga Cathedral in Kampala, Archbishop of Kampala Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga led the Christmas Mass.
Like other places of worship, Rubaga was not packed because of the social distancing measure.
But the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ remained as energized as it has always been.
Meanwhile, the only female presidential candidate this year attended service at All Saints Cathedral, Kampala.
Nancy Kalembe is her name.
She has won over many admirers with her sense of style, which she was keen to maintain even on Friday in church.
Speaking of presidential candidates . . .
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flagbearer Patrick Oboi attended Christmas prayers at Our Lady of Souls Diocese, Kitovu in Masaka city.
The church had a fairly good attendance and with SOPs followed.
Bishop Sereverus Jjumba of Masaka Dioceses was the main celebrant.
After Mass, some people took the opportunity to take selfies with the FDC presidential candidate.
In another part of Uganda, another presidential contestant hit the pause button on his campaign to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Robert Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform (NUP) arrived for Christmas prayers at St. James Rugarama Church Of Uganda in Ntungamo in the company of his family, including his wife Barbra Itungo Kyagulanyi.
Temperature checks had to be done at the entrance.
The couple was with their son.
In Arua city, SOPs had to be adhered to before accessing St. Philip's Church.
Places of worhip deserve credit for doing their best to ensure observance of measures meant to curb the spread of the raging coronavirus.
Inside, decorations gave the church a festive look.
Songs of praise added vibrancy to the service.
Bishop Charles Collins Andaku, who led the service, also commissioned a new building constructed by Christians for the new priest.
This happened after the service.
The temperature gun was also in full use at the entrance of Northwest Ankole Diocese Cathedral in Ibanda.
Here, Bishop Amos Magyezi was the main celebrant and he implored Christians to accept Jesus to overcome fear prevalent among the community due to COVID-19 and the campaigns.
"We need to get saved to conquer this fear and gain peace and happiness that the newborn child Jesus brings," he preached.
In Pakwach, catechist Robert Odota led Christians in Christmas prayers at Oborowio Church of Uganda in Ragem sub-county.
Here, Odota preached that Christmas celebrations should reconcile families. "There is no use for you to praise God yet you disagree with your family."
In Mityana, Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa led prayers at St Noa's Cathedral.
In Iganga, the Bishop of Central Busoga diocese, Patrick Wakula, cautioned politicians against using provocative language during campaigns.
At Christ The King Church in Arua, Rev Fr William Andima urged Christians to preach peace, love and unity.
And finally, but on a sad note, the Church has lost another of its own.
Fr. Evarest of Apostles of Jesus, Mazzoldi Community Nsambya sadly died on Christmas Eve (Thursday). Born in Kabale, he was a lecturer at Kisubi Brothers University.
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