Religious heads plot for Uganda’s next 50 years

As majority of Ugandans immerse themselves in the festivities to mark the country’s Golden Jubilee since gaining independence from Britain, religious leaders have resolved to go a different way, by plotting for the future.

Under their umbrella body, the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), religious leaders are working on a document that will spell out their role, vision, desires and objectives for the country in the next 50 years.

“Based on the experience of the last 50 years, we want to have our position and roles cut out in shaping an ideal Uganda in future,” says Rev Canon Grace Kaiso, head of IRCU’s sub-committee charged with making the draft document.

Kaiso, assisted by Prof Badru Kateregga, has embarked on collecting views from clerics across the country through regional workshops. Last Tuesday, May 15, Kaiso and Kateregga met religious leaders from the central region at Pope Paul VI Memorial hotel in Kampala. Catholic, Anglican, Muslim (from both the Kibuli and Old Kampala sects), Orthodox and born-again Christian leaders attended the meeting. Similar meetings will be held in other regions.

A draft document of views collected at regional level will be tabled before a national conference for discussion, ahead of its final compilation as the clerics’ binding position. One of sticking issues discussed in the regional meetings is whether or not religious leaders should keep away from politics. President Museveni has often castigated religious leaders who openly comment on the prevailing political happenings in the country.

The President insists they should stick to issues in the worship places and leave politics alone, a view they opposed. Many religious leaders argue that it is a right and one of their roles to help followers make political decisions that advance prosperity and development.
Kaiso says the outcome of their initiative will determine the levels of contribution and role of religious leaders in political matters.

“We want to have harmony with political leaders for the good of our country; so, we should define our own roles in the next Uganda that we want,” he said.

mugalu@observer.ug