Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine on Sunday chose a Poland national and parish priest of Munyonyo to depict Jesus and ride on a donkey as Christian faithful in the area marched to mark Palm Sunday.

When the Church and Media uploaded images of the proceedings, many commented with outrage saying:“Couldn’t they find a black Jesus.” Others said the event was symbolic of idol worship.

The race has been a topic of discussion since the days of early Christianity.

Racial

Bible scholars insist the New Testament includes no descriptions of Jesus’ appearance before his death and that the Gospel narratives are generally indifferent to people’s racial appearance or features.

Nevertheless, many people have a mental image of Jesus drawn from artistic depictions.

A wide range of depictions have appeared over the two millennia since Jesus’s death, often influenced by cultural settings, political circumstances and theological contexts.

Colonialism

Social media user under account name, Damulira William said: “Why muzungu (White man), funny Africans, they think everything good should be white.”

“Why is it that a white has to be Jesus. We are still locked back to colonialism,”  Vicente Johnsons remarked.

Jemima Zaabu said, “Couldn’t they find a black Jesus? We have been brain washed! He had to be white in a sea of black faces!”

Commandment

Kahunde Abwooli K Hilda said, “Breaking the very first commandment…..this is worshiping a human being.”

Other Christians however condemned the “racial” comments.

Ssemambo Peter said, “I have failed to understand exactly what’s wrong with a white Priest to ride a donkey. According to Matt 28:19 Jesus commanded his Apostles to make disciples of all nations. I haven’t seen anywhere that whites are exclusive.”