Archbishop Kaziimba calls for peace, fairness in elections

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr Stephen Kaziimba has called for peace and reconciliation as electoral activities gain momentum ahead of next month’s polls.

He also warned that citizens cannot get deliverance from politicians despite the need for leaders.

“There is no salvation in any politician but only in Jesus alone. We need politicians because we need leaders but we cannot get salvation from them,” Archbishop Kaziimba told Christians who had gathered at All Saints Cathedral for Christmas service before beseeching them to build a relationship with Jesus in order to get perfect peace.

“If you want peace, you need total conversion of the head, the heart and hands. The mind-set must be converted,” said Dr Kaziimba adding that rich and married people are suffering because they have no Jesus who is the source of peace.

Because of lack of peace, the Archbishop said that many people are suffering from inner battles which have led to confusion, guilt and anxiety, among others.

“We have experienced gender based violence, political violence, hooliganism, excessive force by security agencies but let us pursue peace,” he said.

He called for the creation of dialogue platforms where people can talk to each other, reconcile and forgive one another irrespective of their political affiliations, religious and tribe because people need each other.   

Dr Kaziimba explained that Christmas is not about going to church and eating but for everyone to put right certain things with God and fellow people.

“Have peace in yourself even when things are not moving your direction. Try to co-exist with people. We need peaceful campaigns and elections and let there be justice and fairness in the political space,” he said.

In a separate message, Namirembe Diocesan Bishop, Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira was optimistic that Christmas would inspire and encourage everyone in times of distress and anxiety.

“The world is yearning for good news for we have heard enough of the bad news. The world is grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic and political upheavals. There are stormy winds blowing all through and many people are terrified,” Bishop Luwalira said.

He expressed sympathies to the families, relatives and friends who have lost their loved ones due to accidents, Covid-19 related challenges and those killed in cold blood during the November riots.

“Jesus whose birth we celebrate at this time is known to have gone about doing good, healing the sick, restoring hope and joy to the destitute. It is to him that we pray and cry earnestly to have mercy on us to save mankind. When we pray deeply, we discover, when we discover, we recover the lost hope, joy and glory,” the bishop added.