UGANDA: Church leaders warn Ugandans against surrendering national solidarity for partisan interest
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| Most Rev. John Baptist Odama, Archbishop of Gulu and Chairman of UEC |
Barely a few
weeks after the 2016 General Elections in Uganda, Members of the
Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) and the Elders Forum of Uganda (TEFU)
have warned Ugandans against surrendering national solidarity for partisan
interests.
weeks after the 2016 General Elections in Uganda, Members of the
Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) and the Elders Forum of Uganda (TEFU)
have warned Ugandans against surrendering national solidarity for partisan
interests.
In a joint
press statement, read by the Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC)
and Archbishop of Gulu, Most Rev. John Baptist Odama, on March 17, 2016 in
Kampala, the leaders revealed that there is unease amongst some sections of the
populations since the general elections.
press statement, read by the Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC)
and Archbishop of Gulu, Most Rev. John Baptist Odama, on March 17, 2016 in
Kampala, the leaders revealed that there is unease amongst some sections of the
populations since the general elections.
“There is
fear and uncertainty within some sections of the population to express their
grievances related to a number of issues,” Archbishop Odama read a section of
the statement on behalf of IRCU.
fear and uncertainty within some sections of the population to express their
grievances related to a number of issues,” Archbishop Odama read a section of
the statement on behalf of IRCU.
He added,
“Some of the concerns include: the role of the security forces in the electoral
process, the challenges faced by the Electoral Commission and the voters.”
“Some of the concerns include: the role of the security forces in the electoral
process, the challenges faced by the Electoral Commission and the voters.”
He further
said that the above mentioned issues have left some sections of the population
dissatisfied thus; such an environment is not conducive to consolidating peace
and justice in the country.
said that the above mentioned issues have left some sections of the population
dissatisfied thus; such an environment is not conducive to consolidating peace
and justice in the country.
“As
shepherds and senior citizens in the country, we are deeply troubled by these
trends because they weaken our social fabric of harmony, social cohesion and
responsive leadership. These provide us with an opportunity as citizens of
Uganda to reflect deeply on our missed opportunities and lay a firm foundation
for a meaningful democracy for our beloved nation,” Archbishop Odama explained.
shepherds and senior citizens in the country, we are deeply troubled by these
trends because they weaken our social fabric of harmony, social cohesion and
responsive leadership. These provide us with an opportunity as citizens of
Uganda to reflect deeply on our missed opportunities and lay a firm foundation
for a meaningful democracy for our beloved nation,” Archbishop Odama explained.
The leaders
urged Ugandans to embrace the pillars that guarantee sustainable peace and
justice in the nation which includes fairness, openness, mutual respect,
recognition of each other’s contribution and commitment towards serving the
common good.
urged Ugandans to embrace the pillars that guarantee sustainable peace and
justice in the nation which includes fairness, openness, mutual respect,
recognition of each other’s contribution and commitment towards serving the
common good.
“It should
be appreciated that nation building is a collective effort,” he said.
be appreciated that nation building is a collective effort,” he said.
Meanwhile,
the leaders have vowed to provide guidance and leadership to address the
current political impasse and work with all the citizens to lay a solid
foundation for the country. They have committed to offer themselves as
facilitators of constructive dialogue around the existing issues, engage
relevant authorities to ensure Ugandans enjoy their freedoms of expression and
movement and to work towards a national consultative conference to address
obstacles that hinder Ugandans as a nation.
the leaders have vowed to provide guidance and leadership to address the
current political impasse and work with all the citizens to lay a solid
foundation for the country. They have committed to offer themselves as
facilitators of constructive dialogue around the existing issues, engage
relevant authorities to ensure Ugandans enjoy their freedoms of expression and
movement and to work towards a national consultative conference to address
obstacles that hinder Ugandans as a nation.
Archbishop
Odama expressed his gratitude to Ugandan citizens for their active
participation in the elections and the various political actors for exercising
tolerance.
Odama expressed his gratitude to Ugandan citizens for their active
participation in the elections and the various political actors for exercising
tolerance.
By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda
Episcopal Conference
Episcopal Conference
