Honorable Fred Omach, Minister of State for Finance, Planning & Economic Development
Your Eminence Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala,
Your Graces, Your Lordships,
Excellencies Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Colleagues, Honorable Ministers and Members of Parliament,
Representatives of State and Civil Authorities,
Reverend Fathers, Brothers and Sisters,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

Good evening! Happy Easter!

I am glad to welcome you all to the Pope's Day Reception. I express my gratitude to all of you for your kind presence. I am particularly grateful to Minister Fred Omach who honors this reception with his presence as Representative of the Government of the Republic of Uganda.
I greet with affection and gratitude my Brother Bishops, the Shepherds of the Local Church, Priests, Religious, Lay faithful, Representatives of different Church institutions. The Church is grateful for your dedication and commitment with which you serve not only the members of the Catholic Church, but also entire population in important sectors of education, vocational training, medical service, social assistance, development projects, etc.

We celebrate today the 6th Anniversary of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. I thank you all for expre:ssiolls of your affection and best wishes towards our Holy Father. The anniversary date of his election is officially 19th April, though we celebrate the Pope's Day today, since this year the date fell during the Holy Week.
As Bishop and Cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger had chosen as his motto: "Collaboratores Veritatis ", collaborators/co-workers of the truth. His motto remains the same following his election to the Papal Ministry in 2005 and it expresses his personal aspiration and commitment. It summarizes the pltn of his Pontificate. With this motto, he expresses his deep conviction that the truth will lead us to true happiness, that it will free us from what keeps us under different forms of slavery (such as ignorance, hatred, fear, prejudice, etc.). For us Christians this truth has been fully revealed in Jesus Christ.

In today's world the Holy Father raises his voice to proclaim the message of Christian hope and love. Though, in his search for the truth, he shows himself open towards the dialogue between faith and reason, dialogue between believers and non-believers, dialogue between different religions and denominations. And he is convinced- and it is also our conviction - that Religions should not be a cause of conflicts, divisions, hatred, but: should help people in their earnest research for the truth, thus bringing them together in the path of unity, reconciliation and peace.

I would like to share with you this evening some of our convictions in this regard. Our thoughts turn first to the relationship between peace, truth and freedom. In the pursuit of authentic peace, a commitment to seek truth is a necessary condition. All persons have an innate right to seek truth, to follow it and freely to live their lives in accordance with it (d. Vatican II, Declaration on Religious Freedom Dignitatis Humane, n. 1). This human striving for truth offers a fruitful opportunity for the followers of the different religions to encounter one another in depth and to grow in appreciation of the gifts of each.

In today's world, marked by forms of secularism and fundamentalism that are often inimical to true freedom and spiritual values, interreligious dialogue can be the alternative choice by which we find the "golden way" to live in peace and work together for the good of all. As Pope Benedict XVI has said, "for the Church, dialogue between the followers of the different religions represents an important means of cooperating with all religious communities for the common good" (Message for the World Day of Peace 2011, n. 11). Such dialogue is also a powerful stimulus to respect for the fundamental human rights of freedom of conscience and freedom of worship. Wherever religious freedom is effectively acknowledged, the dignity of the human person is respected at its root; by the sincere search for what is true and good, moral conscience and civil institutions are strengthened; and justice and peace are firmly established (cf. ibid., n. 5).

In this way, diversity of religion, instead of becoming a cause of division among people, it will become a source of spiritual enrichment and friendship, and an occasion to take up anew the quest of truth and goodness, and to strive to live together in harmony.
Uganda is known as a model country of Africa where faithful of different religions enjoy freedom and protection; it is a country where there is peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among the faithful of different religions. We have Anglicans, Orthodox, Muslims, Evangelicals, Hindus and Catholics who live as brothers and sisters in mutual respect, who practice their faith in freedom.
Religious leaders of different denominations come together to discuss issues of common interest and exchange their views for the common good of the society. We appreciate and encourage further their peaceful coexistence, fruitful cooperation, and common efforts for the good of the Nation.
These days we Christians celebrate the Easter Feast, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It's a Feast of the victory of light over darkness, life over death, love over hatred and violence. It is our earnest wish in this Easter Season that Ugandan People may find a way to work together for the reconciliation and unity of the country. Difference of political opinions can become a richness for the Nation, if they are expressed in a peaceful way and duly respected by the Authorities. We encourage the Ugandan People and their political leaders in their efforts for the well-being of the population, in their efforts to build a corruption and violence-free society, firmly based on the principles of democracy, on the respect of freedom and dignity of each and every human person. We hope and pray for Uganda so that its people may work hand in hand for the common good of the entire Nation.

The Ugandan People cherish a fond memory towards the late Pope John Paul II who came to visit the country in 1993 (February 5-10). It is our great pleasure to learn that Benedict XVI will call to the honor of the Altar his immediate Predecessor, declaring him a "Blessed", through the Beatification ceremony which will take place in St Peter's Basilica on the coming Sunday 1st May. Thus, his life-long extraordinary witness to the message of Christian love and truth will be recognized officially. A group of pilgrims led by the Archbishop of Kampala, His Grace Cyprian Lwanga, left yesterday for Rome to take part in the celebration. The Holy See appreciates the presence of Ugandan pilgrims on that occasion.

Before concluding this short remark, I would like to propose a toast for the prosperity and well-being of the People of Uganda and for its President His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. May

God bless Uganda!
Archbishop Paul Tschang In-Nam
Apostolic Nuncio