Christians welcomed the New Year condemning Saturday's execution of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein while others called for reconciliation to achieve peace and development in 2007.

Pastor Joseph Sserwadda of Victory Christian Centre said it was absurd to enter 2007 when Saddam Hussein is dead.

"I condemn the killing of Saddam no matter what he did before," he said during New Year prayers at Namboole.

"I request Parliament to abolish the death penalty from Uganda's law books."

Fr. Godfrey Mukiibi of Christ the King Church said many Christians jubilated for completing the year and entering the year 2007, forgetting to praise God, who has enabled them to make it.

"Many people including Saddam Hussein failed to enter 2007. May be he (Saddam) should have been given another chance," Fr. Mukiibi said.

At Rubaga Cathedral, Rev Fr. Denis Kibalama urged Christians to strive for peace, justice and love during the New Year.

"We should strive for love. We should work for reconciliation. If there's no reconciliation there won't be peace. The ongoing peace talks will become peace jokes," he said.

He said the government programmes like Prosperity for all (bonna bagaggawale) would fail due to self-aggrandizement by a few if there's no love for others.

He warned believers against colleagues who purport to have visions.

"We should be cautious with people who say they've had visions from the Virgin Mary. People looking for their own popularity - almost becoming God themselves. These are cults. People trying to create their own way of worship," Fr. Kibalama warned.

At All Saints Cathedral Nakasero, the Assistant Bishop of Kampala Zac Niringiye urged Christians to make informed choices that would make Uganda a better place to live in.

He said the Church would step up the war against HIV/Aids amongst Christians

He appealed to Christians to solicit for God's blessings and pray for peace to return to northern Uganda.

Christians of Christian Focus Centre in Mengo Kisenyi entered the new year by donating blood. They later prayed until dawn.