John Baptist Kaggwa, the Bishop of Masaka Catholic diocese is optimistic that the recent Inter-party Organizations for Dialogue-IPOD summit is a precursor towards sanitization of politics and leadership in the country.
In his Christmas homily at Our lady of Sorrows Cathedral-Kitovu in Masaka district, Bishop Kaggwa challenged all political actors to embrace dialogue as a process towards building peace for the common good of the county.
He noted that the country tested the bitter results of political hostilities witnessed in the ugly encounters between government and opposition politicians during the Arua and Bugiri municipality MP by elections.
According to Bishop Kaggwa, the IPOD summit may open a new chapter of political tolerance in the country thereby challenging all political leaders to embrace the process, listen and respect the views of their adversaries.
The Forum for Democratic Change-FDC, the main opposition party opted out of the dialogue days to the launch of the summit, arguing that it wasn’t grounded on the principal of mutual respect.
But Bishop Kaggwa says it’s important that all political players meet and discuss the political destiny of the country despite their diverse opinions.
Kaggwa also asked all Ugandans in their different capacities to jointly fight corruption in the different sectors of government, which he says had crippled the country’s development.
Meanwhile at Kasese Cathedral, Francis Aquirinus Kibira, the Bishop of Kasese Catholic Diocese called upon Christians to desist from infidelity and stay true to their marriage vows.
He said many married couples are living in deceit, mistrust and unfaithfulness from both husbands and wives, saying it has led to the spread of diseases like HIV/AIDS and broken families.
Kibira also argued that some parents were not getting the deserved respect from their children because of the indecent conduct they exhibit before their children.
He also urged Christians to be humble and emulate the example of Christ who despite being a son of God was born in a kraal. Jackson Thembo Nzerebende, the Bishop of the Anglican South Rwenzori Diocese also rallied Christians to appreciate the reasons for the birth of Christ.
According to Nzerebende, many people engage in unchristian behavior on a day which should ideally be used to reflect on one’s own actions in accordance to the Holy Scriptures. He appealed to the masses to use this Christmas window to repent their sins and turn to God.
In Moroto, Rt. Rev. Joseph Abura, the Bishop of Karamoja Diocese urged the youth in the region to follow established Karamoja cultural practices in marriage.
While delivering his Christmas sermon at St. Phillips Cathedral, Bishop Abura observed that the Karamoja tradition in marriage is fading due to the adoption of a new culture by the elites; something he notes has made marriages very expensive.
He explained that the new marriage style of introduction where hundreds of people are invited is costly. He says the practice has forced many youths to resort to cohabitation for years since they can’t afford the new style of marriage where fleets of vehicles and changing attire are required.
“We must get back to our Karamoja style of marriage where a few people are sent for discussions at the girl’s home and dowry is arranged. As Christians, we then converge at the wedding as we give gifts to the newly wed but should be simple”, he said.
The bishop expressed concern over few church marriages where only seven couples have been wedded this year at the cathedral. Musa Lowot, one of the youth in Moroto says the Bishop is spot on. He told URN that he has cohabited for several years for fear of expenses at the introduction that he notes might be more expensive than dowry.
Sam Abura Piriri, an elder in Moroto and former legislator, says the new marriages are only practiced by the elite class who have money. He, however, emphasized the need for respect of the local culture.
Bishop Abura has been critical on issues of marriage. In June last year, he published a book entitled ‘The Awakening’ which examines the aspect of Karimojong Church Marriages with emphasis on girl child.
In his book, Bishop Abura attacks defilement and examines the relevance of comprehensive sexual education, circumcision and condom use. Bishop Abura says he took the task after learning that more than 75 percent of women in Karamoja are not married. He notes that family life is under attack with a lot of negligence among married couples.
–URN
