Ntagali condemns theft of public funds, immorality

Butebo/Tororo. The Church of Uganda Archbishop, the Rt Rev Stanley Ntagali, has decried gross misappropriation of public funds that has led to loss of taxpayers’ money.

The prelate made the remarks while bidding farewell to Christians of Bukedi Diocese at St John’s Church of Uganda, the headquarters of Butebo Archdeaconry, at the weekend.

He warned against amassing wealth through dubious means and encouraged believers to work hard.
“The negative attitude towards work coupled with the prevailing poverty have fuelled corruption through stealing of public funds,” Archbishop Ntagali said.

“People should instead work hard to own their properties. I strongly condemn the increasing theft of funds. The raging immorality is becoming another cancer that is increasingly eating up society; for instance, I did strongly oppose homosexuality and became an enemy to some donors who had proposed to impose this act on us,” he added

Firm on Church position
“I have no apology for having stood strong to protect the church from these evil acts. I therefore salute the House of Bishops for being behind me in this struggle to oppose homosexuality. We need to stand on the biblical truth that requires man to marry a woman and not man to man or woman to woman. This is totally against the canons of the Bible and should strongly be rejected.”

The Archbishop first laid a foundation stone at St Philip Church of Uganda in Kawojan, Kabwangasi Parish, Butebo, where 90 per cent of the works have been funded by the family of Ms Elizabeth Aisu.
A brass band then led the procession of hundreds of believers through Butebo Trading Centre, up to the venue, which was approximately about 4kms, as Christians endured the scorching sunshine.

The Archbishop asked Christians to pray for Uganda.
“The country is faced with many challenges. We need to pray for them and for the new Bishop of Soroti Diocese, who is awaiting consecration,” Archbishiop Ntagali said.

In Tororo
While in Tororo District , the prelate said the continuous demand for the carving out of administrative units in the Anglican Church is a clear demonstration of the growing faith.
He said already in the pipeline is the outstanding approval for carving out of East Busoga Diocese and West Rwenzori Diocese, which will increase the number of dioceses from the current 37 to 39.

“When I was enthroned the Archbishop of Church of Uganda, they were only 34 but out of demand for self-autonomy by Christians. I managed to carve more three and recently Christians initiated carving of two more dioceses, which I have okayed and they are likely to be inaugurated before I retire,’’ Archbishop Ntagali said.

The Archbishop has been in Bukedi Diocese on his final tour ahead of his retirement in March 1, 2020.
He commended Christians of Bukedi Diocese for the commitment and strong faith that has helped the diocese grow stronger, which has been evidenced by creation of archdeaconries and parishes.
Church of Uganda constitution requires that at 65 years, one is mandated to retire.

In June 2012, Archbishop Ntagali was elected by two thirds majority as the 8th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda.
The election was presided over by Rt Rev Nicodemus Okille, the Dean of the Church of the Province of Uganda.

Previous Archbishops

Previous Archbishops of the Church of Uganda are Leslie Brown, a British missionary, was the first Archbishop of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga-Zaire [1961-1966], Erch Sabiti [1966-1974], Janani Luwum [1974-1977-martyred in 1977, Silvanus Wani [1977-1983]. In 1980, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga-Zaire became a separate, Francophone Province and Uganda became its own province, Yona Okoth [1983-1995], Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo [1995-2004], Henry Luke Orombi [ 2004-2012].

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