Ntungamo, Uganda – Pastor Lodovico Barugahare of Rubaare Full Gospel Church has issued a stern warning to believers and all citizens against engaging in political violence as Uganda braces for the highly contested NRM primaries and the 2026 general elections.
Speaking during a fiery Sunday sermon on July 13, 2025, the clergyman condemned the growing tensions surrounding the ruling party’s internal elections, urging voters to prioritize unity and restraint.
“Politics should never be a battlefield where lives are lost over power. The blood of any Ugandan is too high a price to pay for a political seat. Let us remember that while elections are temporary, the scars of violence last generations,” Pastor Lodovico declared.
His stern admonition came against a backdrop of escalating tensions, with his words carrying particular weight following last week’s fatal election-related clash in Isingiro District, which left one person dead and several injured.
Pastor Barugahare called on believers to be beacons of hope by rejecting intimidation, hate speech, and mob justice, and instead leading by example through acts of love and unity.
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet. We must prioritize peace during the electoral process, accept outcomes with grace and humility, and recognize that the nation’s stability hinges on our collective discipline, restraint, and commitment to democratic values,” he emphasized.
The pastor’s message has resonated widely, with local leaders and civil society groups echoing his call for calm as the NRM prepares for what could be one of its most fiercely contested primaries in recent years.
With the elections drawing closer, tensions have risen among competing candidates during the NRM party’s joint campaigns across the country.
Analysts warn that without restraint, Uganda’s political climate could further deteriorate, making Pastor Barugahare’s plea for peaceful participation in the democratic process a critically timely intervention.