KAMPALA–Kampala Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga has urged Ugandans to resist bad politics.
This was in his new year sermon at Rubaga Cathedral on Monday.
He said he isn’t the first one to call on Ugandans to resist bad politics, saying Museveni one day said all Ugandans belong to the Movement system and even went further to explain why he started the National Resistance Movement.
He said; “I want people to resist bad politics. So he commanded people to resist bad politics. He said we should resist bad politics, and I think he was right there. Let us resist bad politics, let us resist bad politics and promote national unity because we’re all interested in this country and also to build a strong future for this country,” he advised.
On why religious leaders have a right to comment on political matters, he said all Ugandans have a right to speak, pointing out Article 29 of the Constitution of Uganda, which stipulates the protection of freedom of conscience, freedom of own expression and freedom of movement.
“This means, that every citizen has a right to freedom of speech and expression, freedom of thoughts. All of us should therefore be aware that the life of our nation is not a responsibility of a few individuals alone but a common social responsibility of all citizens of this country. I therefore appeal to all concerned especially politicians or even journalists, please read and understand the Constitution of Uganda before making abusive utterances on innocent people – be it religious leaders, politicians or others. That Constitution is for all us without any category of people,” he said.
His sermon has been interpreted by many to be a response to Museveni’s New Year message where he attacked religious leaders.
In his New Year’s message, Museveni said: “Some of our religious people are so full of arrogance. They talk most authoritatively on all and everything even when they have not bothered to find out the truth.”
Religious leaders including Lwanga, the Catholic Bishop of Masaka John Baptist Kaggwa, the head of the Orthodox Church Metropolitan, Jonah Lwanga, and the Supreme Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Mubajje have been the biggest critics of the removal of the presidential age limit, arguing that it was bound to plunge the country into chaos.
Despite their pleas, the controversial bill was passed by the NRM dominated Parliament and was signed into law by Museveni on 27 December.
