Africa-Press – Uganda. The Orthodox Church at Namungoona has been closed after one of its members died of COVID-19.
This was revealed by the dean of Namungoona Cathedral, Fr Nicholas Ssekamwa Bayengo, in a phone interview on Wednesday.
He broke the news after the journalist asked about the church’s New Year programme.
“The church has been closed since December 23 after the death of Uganda Joint Christian Council treasurer, Fr Emmanuel Ssekyewa, who succumbed to COVID-19,” he disclosed.
Ssekamwa said they were advised to stay in quarantine since December 23 and did not celebrate Christmas.
He said prayers will not be conducted at the Orthodox Church Namungoona, St George Bbira in Masanafu, and St Sofia in Kibuye-Salaama Road because of the surge in Covid-19 cases.
“COVID-19 changed everything. This is the first time to miss Christmas celebrations,” he said. The main cathedral of the Orthodox Church was started in 1934 by Bishop Spartas Ssebbanja Mukasa (RIP), Rev. Obadiah Basajjakitalo (RIP), Archbishop Theodorous Nankyama (RIP), and Rev. Fr. Irineos Magimbi (RIP).
Recently, a mosque in Wandegeya, Kampala was also closed over the surge in COVID-19 cases among the faithful there.
