Clerics attack government over cultural Bill

Church leaders around the country went political at this year’s Christmas Day celebrations. They prayed for peaceful general elections in 2011 and expressed dissatisfaction over a new law barring traditional leaders from partisan politics as well as the icy relations between Buganda Kingdom and the central government.

Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi was part of a congregation that listened to the sermons of Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira at Namirembe Cathedral in Kampala, who expressed his disaffection with the government’s proposed law which seeks to regulate the activities of traditional leaders.

Bishop Luwalira said although relations between Buganda and the central government had improved recently, the new Bill would engage the two institutions in reverse gear.

“When government re-opened CBS radio, people in Buganda started rejoicing, but we have been taken aback because of the new developments in Parliament concerning this new Bill,” he said.

Bishop Luwalira described some of the Bill’s contents as not justifiable—although he offered no specifics, and cautioned Members of Parliament to tread carefully while scrutinising the proposed law.

Prof. Nsibambi, who leads government business in Parliament, moved to allay the Bishop’s fears and said the new Bill was simply a proposal subject to amendment.

“The Bill may not be passed in its current form because it can still be amended,” he said. “I urge the public to come and give their views to the parliamentary committees that are handling it.”

Rubaga Cathedral
At Rubaga Cathedral, a peaceful election formed the centrepiece of Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga’s sermon. The Bishop cautioned politicians against sowing seeds of violence as they canvass for votes ahead of the crunch polls and said “politicians should embrace peace everywhere.”
He advised that the non-ending conflicts between Buganda and the central government can only be resolved peacefully with prayer.

All Saints Church
At the All Saints Church Nakasero, head of the Anglican Church Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi used his sermon to preach peace for South Sudan’s January referendum and Uganda’s 2011 general election.
“May there be no confusion. May the elections come, Ugandans cast their votes, the counting be done, the announcement of results be declared that everybody accepts that that is the mandate of the people as they have spoken. May the next government be installed in peace,” he said.

St. Augustine Church
That message was re-echoed at the St Augustine Community Church Makerere, where Father Joseph Ndug’u delivered the day’s sermon.
“As we celebrate Christmas, let us pray that all our leaders including ourselves preach reconciliation and peace now that we are going into elections,” he said.

St. Francis Chapel
The Rev. Canon Johnson Ebong used his sermon at St Francis Chapel Makerere to speak about homosexuality and prostitution.
“People are getting married to dolls and dogs,” he said. “Men are marrying fellow men and women fellow women. The world has gone crazy.”

Nshwere Church of Uganda
President Museveni was in Kirihura District where he addressed worshipers at Nshwere Church of Uganda in Nyabushozi and warned politicians against using religion or ethnicity as a ticket to public office.
“What does it help you to belong to a certain tribe or religion? Would you feed and thrive on tribal and religious identity,” asked Mr Museveni.
Here, the Rev. Eric Tumuheirwe told worshipers that the scriptures teach that man reaps what he sows, before commending Mr Museveni “for sowing the good fruits of peace and development in Uganda.”

Arua Diocese
The respect for human dignity formed the highlight of sermons in Arua District. The Bishop of Arua Diocese, Sabino Odoki, urged Christians to celebrate Christmas in a more meaningful way. “Do not celebrate in excess like drinking a lot of beer,” he said. “Let us respect human dignity.”

Christ the King Church
At Christ the King Church, Father Andrew Guma denounced the acts of child sacrifice and said: “If God loves us, how do we account for the child sacrifice and atrocities and why can’t we value lives of others?”
Reported by Emmanuel Gyezaho, Risdel Kasasira, Patience Ahimbisibwe, Isaac Imaka, Isaac Khisa, Rajab Mukombozi,Warom Felix Okello and Harriet Anena