Lwanga hits back at Museveni as clerics preach tolerance in 2018

As Christians gathered in different worship places yesterday to usher in the New Year, religious leaders used the occasion to comment on the different issues in the country.

Kampala Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga said church leaders are not interested in taking up political positions and that it is their constitutional right to comment on political issues in the country.

While delivering his New Year sermon at Rubaga Cathedral on Monday, Archbishop Lwanga said the church has a duty to educate citizens on many issues, including political and civic rights.

Archbishop Lwanga’s remarks were in response to President Museveni, who in his New Year message, said some religious leaders sometimes make authoritative statements on political matters they are not competent to discuss.

However, the Archbishop said the Constitution is clear on the responsibilities of the citizens and does not cluster them into different groups.

“The Constitution doesn’t categorise us into groups like some people are trying to portray. It says we are all Ugandans. Today, people are accusing us and abusing us that we should not engage in political talk,” Archbishop Lwanga said.

“That if we want to engage in politics, we should remove our vestments (robes) and aspire for political positions. What we are doing is our work. We are not interested in politics and we shall not be interested in political positions,” he added.

The Archbishop also said the Constitution demands that there should be respect for rights and freedoms of others on freedom of expression, association and assembly.

“I therefore appeal to those concerned, especially the politicians, to read and understand the Constitution before making accusations against other people.”

Namirembe Cathedral

Church of Uganda Archbishop Stanley Ntagali cautioned Ugandans to desist from corrupt tendencies in the New Year. “I have always said corruption begins at home and then it is translated to a bigger community when you go to public office.

People think about themselves as individuals instead of serving the country but I want to appeal to you that this should stop in 2017,” Archbishop Ntagali said.

Kololo Independence grounds

Pastor Jackson Senyonga of Christian Life Church, Bwaise, Kampala, during prayers at Kololo Independence Grounds said: “God is going to perform wonders that you have never seen in the first 30 or 40 days of this year. You will see what will happen-miracles will happen.”

St Andrew Cathedral- Mbale

Mbale Diocese Bishop Patrick Gidudu, in his sermon, said 2018 should be a year of peace, love and togetherness before cautioning the youth to desist from violence and idleness.

“This year will be a year of good yield, peace, love and togetherness,” Bishop Gidudu said at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Mbale Town. He also urged Christians to be God-fearing in order to overcome worldly challenges.

Moyo
Arua Diocese Bishop Rev Sabino Ocan Odoki lashed out at MPs both from the ruling NRM and the Opposition for engaging in violence during the recent debate on lifting of the presidential age limit clause from the Constitution.

“All over the world, our MPs were seen fighting on television breaking microphones and children were watching their fight over age limit. This has given Uganda a bad image. This is not sign of peace,” Bishop Odoki said.

Bushenyi
The West Ankole Diocesan secretary, the Rev Arthur Atwiine, asked mothers to pray for their children so that they may have strong families in the New Year. He added that strong families where God reigns, lead to strong churches and nations.

All SaintsChurch- Kampala
Kampala Diocese assistant Bishop Hannington Mutebi told a congregation at All Saints Cathedral, Kampala, that all is not lost despite the recently passed Constitution amendment Bill, 2017, saying it can be retracted with divine intervention.

“God has great plans for all of us. During the hard times, we need to hang on to God because he understands us better,” Bishop Mutebi said.

“With honest prayers backed by faith, I am sure President Museveni will choose to put the Age Bill to a referendum for the greater population to choose,” he added.

Old Kampala
Pastor David Livingstone Kiganda of the Christianity Focus Ministries urged politicians to lead by example in their communities as they address pertinent issues which affect majority Ugandans such as poverty.

During prayers held at Old Kampala Senior Secondary School playgrounds, Pastor Kiganda said: “We understand that country faced a lot of challenges such as corruption but many people are simply pointing fingers at each other without fight the evils which are ruining our development.”

Namboole Stadium
Pastor Joseph Sserwadda of Victory Christian Church in Ndeeba, Kampala, during prayers at Namboole stadium, urged government to increase salaries of civil servants.

Reported by Franklin Draku, Damali Mukhaye, Ephraim Kasozi, Scovin Iceta, Moses Kyeyune, Leonard Mukooli, Fred Wambede, Paul Tajuba, Moses Ndhaye, Zadock Amanyisa, Lominda Afedraru, Perez Rumanzi & Anthony Wesaka