Ntagali condemns Kadaga shrine visit
Kampala- The visit by the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga to a shrine at Nhendha hill in Iganga District is facing more scrutiny with the Anglican Church saying “it’s confusing” and for a leader of her calibre “it might cause others to stumble.”
In a statement, Church of Uganda Archbishop Stanley Ntagali said: “We value our ancestors because we are connected to them. But, we must always trust only in God. We no longer need to go through the spirits of the dead because Jesus is our hope and protector.”
“The Church of Uganda condemns syncretism and urges her bishops and clergy to use this opportunity to proclaim the sufficiency of Christ crucified to meet all our needs, and to work pastorally with Christians to apply this glorious truth practically in their lives,” he added.
A video circulated early this week showing Ms Kadaga visiting a shrine. She later spoke on camera saying she had gone to inform the jjajjas (ancestors) that she had triumphed. This was moments after being sworn in as Speaker of Parliament.
Archbishop Ntagali said: “Like many Ugandans, Christians in the Church of Uganda prayed for Honourable Rebecca Kadaga for her re-election as MP and Speaker of Parliament. We rejoiced when the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ opened both doors for her to serve the people of Uganda again. Like many, we were, therefore, confused by the reports of her visiting her ancestral shrine to give thanks for her re-election.”
Kadaga’s visit to the shrine to pay homage to the ancestors sparked national debate with some citizens questioning her faith. Later she, her clan leaders and office said her visit to the shrine was in respect of clan traditions of paying respect to elders and to promote tourism.
Ms Kadaga said as a Speaker of Parliament, she is an advocate of cultural and religious tourism.
The Church said as the nation approaches the commemoration of the Ugandan Martyrs on June 3, “faithfulness and commitment as exhibited by the Uganda Martyrs should reign.
Meanwhile, Workers Representative Sam Lyomoki has said the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga ‘bound Parliament to the devil’ by visiting a shrine last week.
“That act appears simple. But if you go into rituals like bowing down and doing what she was doing, that is demonic. God said worship no god but Me,” Mr Lyomoki said during a press conference at Parliament yesterday.
Mr Lyomoki, therefore, suggested Ms Kadaga repents, though she does not have to do it publicly.
