Ntagali warns leaders against vote-buying

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah greets Archbishop Stanley Ntagali while Gulu District Woman MP Betty Aol Ocan greets the Archbishop’s wife in Gulu District on Tuesday. PHOTO BY JULIUS OCUNGI

Gulu- As the country prepares for the forthcoming general election next year, Archbishop of Church of Uganda Stanley Ntagali has warned politicians against commercialising politics, saying leadership is not bought but a calling from God.

Addressing a congregation at Omoro Archdeaconry at Bibia Primary School, Gulu District, on Tuesday, Archbishop Ntagali said politicians should seek God’s blessings instead of dishing out money to woo the electorate.

“Leadership is a calling from God, seek his path if you want to assume leadership and stop deceiving voters with money, soap, salt and other things to lure them into voting you into office,” he said.

Archbishop Ntagali also blessed aspiring politicians who included the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Jacob Oulanyah, Gulu LC5 chairperson Martin Mapenduzi and councillors, among others.

Northern Uganda Diocese Bishop Johnson Gakumba warned politicians against turning churches into a campaign ground.

“Sometimes we give time for politicians to greet the congregation for recognition but they turn it into a campaigning rally. We shall not allow them to campaign anymore, let them organise rallies,” Bishop Gakumba said.

Mr Oulanyah who is also MP for Omoro County asked the residents to turn to God and repent for their sins.