UGANDA: Inter-Religious Council of Uganda sets dates for National Prayers ahead of the Uganda General Elections
The Council of Presidents of Inter-Religious Council of
Uganda (IRCU) has organized the weekend of February 12-14, 2016 to conduct
national prayers for peace, unity and stability as the country prepares for the
General Elections due February 18, 2016.
Uganda (IRCU) has organized the weekend of February 12-14, 2016 to conduct
national prayers for peace, unity and stability as the country prepares for the
General Elections due February 18, 2016.
Sheikh RamadhanShaban Mubajje, Co-Chair IRCU and the Mufti of Uganda said that the prayers will be held by all
religious faiths in Uganda at their respective places of worship.
“The Muslims are expected to hold their prayer day on Friday
February 12, while the Seventh-day Adventists on Saturday February 13 and the
Catholics, Anglicans, Orthodox, Pentecostals, Evangelicals and others on Sunday
February 14, respectively,” he said.
February 12, while the Seventh-day Adventists on Saturday February 13 and the
Catholics, Anglicans, Orthodox, Pentecostals, Evangelicals and others on Sunday
February 14, respectively,” he said.
Addressing journalists on Friday February 5
at the offices of the IRCU in Namirembe, a Kampala suburb; reflecting on the
Status of the 2016 General elections, Sheikh Ramadhan pointed out some of the
challenges that have in the past brought the would-be democratic process to
disrepute. “These are such as:- inadequate internal democracy within political
parties, credibility of the Electoral Commission, vote buying, voter apathy,
intolerance and violence, militia groups, intimidation, use of abusive language
and ballot stuffing,” he said adding that. “A few weeks to the polling day,
these issues remain the key concerns of many people both within and outside the
country and there is a need for urgent action.”
at the offices of the IRCU in Namirembe, a Kampala suburb; reflecting on the
Status of the 2016 General elections, Sheikh Ramadhan pointed out some of the
challenges that have in the past brought the would-be democratic process to
disrepute. “These are such as:- inadequate internal democracy within political
parties, credibility of the Electoral Commission, vote buying, voter apathy,
intolerance and violence, militia groups, intimidation, use of abusive language
and ballot stuffing,” he said adding that. “A few weeks to the polling day,
these issues remain the key concerns of many people both within and outside the
country and there is a need for urgent action.”
The Mufti urged all leaders from the Christian, Muslim, and
other communities to pray for the candidates, the voters, various groups
including women, children and the youth for a peaceful election.
other communities to pray for the candidates, the voters, various groups
including women, children and the youth for a peaceful election.
He also called on all politicians not to
bribe voters, incite violence or hold voters to their personal desires. He
advised that they need to display a high level of statesmanship so that they
can be able to lead this country to prosperity.
bribe voters, incite violence or hold voters to their personal desires. He
advised that they need to display a high level of statesmanship so that they
can be able to lead this country to prosperity.
Meanwhile, the Vicar General of Kampala Archdiocese, Rev.
Fr. Charles Kasibante who represented Most Rev. Charles Kizito Lwanga, the
Archbishop of Kampala urged believers to pray to God to provide the right
leaders for the country.
Fr. Charles Kasibante who represented Most Rev. Charles Kizito Lwanga, the
Archbishop of Kampala urged believers to pray to God to provide the right
leaders for the country.
“As religious leaders we are not supposed to
be involved in partisan election or campaign for any individual politician
because all sides are our people and people of
God. Politicians are welcomed to our churches but we call upon everyone to pray
that God would provide the right leaders for the country vote,” Fr. Kasibante
said.
be involved in partisan election or campaign for any individual politician
because all sides are our people and people of
God. Politicians are welcomed to our churches but we call upon everyone to pray
that God would provide the right leaders for the country vote,” Fr. Kasibante
said.
The Press Conference was also attended by the
Secretary General of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Msgr John Baptist Kauta
and the former chairperson of the Judicial Service
Commission and the head of the Elders Forum, Justice James Ogoola.
Secretary General of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Msgr John Baptist Kauta
and the former chairperson of the Judicial Service
Commission and the head of the Elders Forum, Justice James Ogoola.
Justice Ogoola called on all Ugandans to vote for a
leader who can lead Uganda with a steady hand and a sober head in matters of
International Relations.
leader who can lead Uganda with a steady hand and a sober head in matters of
International Relations.
He also urged everyone to show support for the second
Presidential Elections debate slated for
February 13, 2016. The debate will focus on foreign policy, taking into account regional integration,
border trade, and crime among others, one of the organizers.
Presidential Elections debate slated for
February 13, 2016. The debate will focus on foreign policy, taking into account regional integration,
border trade, and crime among others, one of the organizers.
The debate will also take
into account how Uganda features in the inter-play of affairs between the Great
Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa.
into account how Uganda features in the inter-play of affairs between the Great
Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa.
By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda
Episcopal Conference
