KABAROLE, UGANDA – The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, has issued a stark caution to politicians, stating that the enthusiastic reception they often receive from constituents is frequently a reflection of financial handouts rather than genuine affection or political support.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Archbishop delivered this message during his pastoral visit to the West Ruwenzori Diocese, where he officiated prayers at St. Barnabas Cathedral in Bumadu to mark the diocese’s two-year anniversary and celebrate its achievements since being carved out from the Rwenzori Diocese in August 2023.
Archbishop Kaziimba’s comments on the dangerously misleading nature of fervent campaign trail cheers come amidst growing national concern over the commercialization of politics in Uganda.
He warned politicians against misconstruing voter enthusiasm as genuine affection, suggesting that such perceived support is often driven by financial incentives.
The critique appears directly informed by recent political events, including the excessive use of money during the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries at the district level and the highly publicized, expensive NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) elections held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala.
The Archbishop’s sentiment echoes concerns previously raised by high-ranking officials like Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who had publicly questioned why an individual would spend up to five billion shillings to secure a voluntary CEC position.
The Deputy Speaker brought to the fore the profound and deep-seated issue of the commercialization of politics, highlighting how financial influence corrupts electoral and internal party processes.
Beyond politics, Archbishop Kaziimba used his visit to address socio-economic issues in the Bundibugyo region, urging residents to focus on sustainable development through agriculture.
He encouraged sustainable farming and high-quality cocoa production for export, advising the community to invest earnings in their families and futures rather than in alcoholism or polygamy.
The event also celebrated the West Ruwenzori Diocese itself, which was established two years ago with its headquarters in Bumadu and saw the Rt. Rev. Barnabas Tibaijuka consecrated as its first bishop on August 27, 2023.
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