Uganda is a Christian-dominated nation but why the corruption?

Writing in the Sunday Monitor of December 18, Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi diagnoses that this country is corrupt, superstitious and immoral. He prescribes that Ugandans this Christmas should “dedicate or rededicate our lives to Jesus”. But ours is already a predominantly Christian country as every Sunday, churches get full to capacity. The fear of God is instilled in children by most schools and most parents. Most people believe in Jesus.

Surely, few countries are more Christian than Uganda is today. Yet corruption is rampant, we rely on overseas aid, and HIV/Aids is on the rise again, implying more thoughtlessness and extramarital affairs. If Uganda is saturated by Christians already, then it seems the belief in Jesus alone does not help.

The Archbishop suggests that belief in Jesus as Saviour is the only important thing. But evidence shoes that this belief alone is neither necessary nor sufficient to improve our society. The Archbishop says of Jesus that “he will save people from their sins”. But we are the ones who must save ourselves. If we pray, that is fine, but we must also act. If we believe, that is okay, but we must also be good. If we worship Jesus, fair enough, but we must also respect our fellow humans beings regardless of their religious beliefs.

Anyone can say they believe in any religion, but what matters is their personal integrity. Do they respect what is fair and just? Do they want to empathise and understand other people? Do they contribute positively to society? The world is learning that these are the important questions.

Whether we happen to believe in the divinity of an ancient Nazarene preacher is one thing and it is easy to say that you do. But can you truthfully answer “yes” to these questions? Would the people that know you answer “yes” on your behalf? It is not our faith which make us, it is our values and actions - and that is what Christmas is really about.

Peter Kisirinya,
Kampala