Arrangements for the November Papal visit are underway, the Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda has assured Parliament.

Pope Francis holds the monstrance during the worldwide hour of Eucharistic adoration in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican June 2, 2013. Pope Francis led Roman Catholics on Sunday in the first worldwide "Holy Hour," in which participants prayed at the same time around the globe for those suffering from war, slave labor, human trafficking and the economic crisis. REUTERS/ Giampiero Sposito (VATICAN - Tags: RELIGION) - RTX109BZ
Pope Francis holds the monstrance during the worldwide hour of Eucharistic adoration in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican June 2, 2013. Pope Francis led Roman Catholics on Sunday in the first worldwide “Holy Hour,” in which participants prayed at the same time around the globe for those suffering from war, slave labor, human trafficking and the economic crisis. REUTERS/ Giampiero Sposito (VATICAN – Tags: RELIGION) – RTX109BZ

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Uganda on November 27th – 29th, 2015, as the Catholic Church marks 50 years of the canonization of the Uganda martyrs.

The Premier, who was responding to a question from the Opposition Chief Whip, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal (FDC, Dokolo district) said that government preferred that the programme for the Pope’s visit be announced by Rome.

“We have not made any statements because we would like his programme to be announced by Rome and not Kampala,” said Dr. Rugunda adding that “Government and the Papal Nuncio are in close contact and Parliament will be informed.”

Hon. Ogwal wondered whether the Pope was visiting the President or Uganda, considering that government had not issued any statement to Parliament. She said it was necessary to inform Parliament and the country about the visit such that Ugandans prepare and give the Pope a “befitting welcome.”

Hon. Dr. Rugunda explained that the Pope was visiting Uganda and would interact with Ugandans and people from the neighbouring countries