Brig. Ali clarifies Rev. Moon visit

New Vision/October 20, 2000
By Grace Matsiko

Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Internal Affairs, Brig. Moses Ali, and state minister for energy Tomasi Kiryapawo were among senior Ugandans who attended a conference called by the controversial Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the founder of Unification Church, in London, UK.

In the Moses Ali delegation was Uganda's ambassador to the UN, Prof. Kiwanuka Semakula, MPs, Wanjusi Wasieba (Bubulo West), Nusura Tiperu (Youth Women), former Uganda's envoy to Saudi Arabia Prof. Badru Kateregga, Prof.

James Kakonge, David Mwiije of Makerere University and Erinah Rutangye, national coordinator for Family Federation for World Peace, an affiliate of the Unification Church.

The conference was held from September 28 to October 4, to train "responsible citizens to strengthen family values and promote the culture of peace." It was sponsored by Inter-religious and International Federation for World Peace (IIFWP), an organisation linked to the Unification Church.

The Church is regarded worldwide as a cult. It's founder, Rev. Moon, a Korean living in the US, runs a number of charities and conferences which critics say are brainwashing sessions.

The visit of his wife, Dr. Hak Ja Han, to Uganda in April, last year was criticised by the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) who said, his doctrine violates the bible. But Moses Ali told a press conference in his office that he saw no wrong in attending the conference because it was aimed at promoting peace and unity among the people. He said he was touched by Moon's conviction that scholars and scientists can work in harmony to solve problems.