Pope Francis, Museveni exchange gifts

Kampala- Pope Francis offered the gift of an etching of St Peter’s Basilica to his Ugandan host President Yoweri Museveni.
The etching, by Alessandro Specchi (Rome 1666 – 1729), dates to the early 18th century, according to Vatican Radio.

Pope Francis arrived in Uganda on Friday evening for a three-day visit. After arrival, the Pontiff went to State House Entebbe where he held talks with his host before addressing dignitaries.

During the private meeting, the leader of the Holy See and President Museveni exchanged gifts.

In return, President Museveni gave to the Pope an oil painting of the Uganda Kob – a symbol of the national emblem, a copy of the Holy Bible signed by the President on behalf of Ugandans and a Shepherd’s crook/staff which symbolises leader of the flock.

According to the President’s press secretary, Ms Linda Nabusayi, the choice of the Kob was informed by the fact that when the President met the Pontiff in October 2014 at the Vatican, he gave him a gift of the national emblem, the Crested Crane.

The Kob completes the Coat of Arms pack.
The Shepherd’s crook was engraved with the words, “You will be my witnesses - Uganda 27-29 November 2015.” It was wrapped in a red velvet cloth with the words “To Pope Francis from the People of Uganda”.

“You will be my witnesses (Acts 1:8)” is the theme for the visit of the Holy Father to Uganda to lead the 50th anniversary celebration for the Cannonisation of the Uganda martyrs. The 22 Catholic Uganda martyrs were cannonised Saints by Pope Paul VI at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome on October 18, 1964.

In October last year, when President Museveni visited the Pontiff in Vatican, the Pope gave him gifts that included rosaries and his book on Faith and Social Development.
He also gave him a St Martin Medal, named after an important missionary in the Catholic church.

President Museveni reciprocated by giving the Pope a copy of his book Sowing the Mustard Seed and a portrait of the Crested Crane, Uganda’s emblem.