Controversial Catholic Church priest Rev. Fr. Gaetano Batanyenda has said that he prayed for President Museveni so that like other people he can repent.
Fr. Gaetano a renowned Museveni critic stunned his admirers on Monday when he was seen praying for Museveni at a rally in Kabale district.
The Parish priest of Kitanga and Chairperson Inter-Religious Council Kigezi Sub-region said he is always ready to bless everybody.
“Maybe I blessed him so that this blessing can enable him to reconsider his position. ‘Say no, I have done enough, let me stand down’..,” Gaetano said in an interview with NTV. He added; “if the person receives blessing and is in the wrong…and I think may people in Uganda take president Museveni as a political sinner. My blessing to him or any other person is for him to repent.”
Gaetano also revealed the content of his prayer as he placed his hands on president Museveni. “Bless and protect your servant, let him be the channel of peace. And when I talk of peace, you know what I mean especially this period.”
He argued that when he blessed Independent presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi when he was campaigning in Kigezi and no one complained.
Fr. Gaetano is cardinal member of the opposition group The Democratic Alliance, a coalition of opposition parties. Majority of its members are backing Amama Mbabazi in the presidential race.