Archbishop Orombi: I won't stand for President

By Charles Kakamwa      
                     
The outgoing Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Henry Luke Orombi has said he does not intend to join politics.

 “People should not be misled that I'm retiring to join politics. Someone in Kampala approached me inquiring about my plans to contest for the country's presidency and even offered to support the bid. But even in retirement I will continue with God's ministry not politics.

I cannot get tired of this ministry, though I can give way for someone else to be Archbishop. Our role as a Church is to guide the county. We are not competing against political leaders, rather we work as partners.

“If politicians do their duty, people are blessed just as they are blessed when we perform our duties,” said Orombi over the weekend while addressing a congregation at Christ's Cathedral, Bugembe in Jinja district on Saturday.

Orombi who is on a farewell tour of the various dioceses, accompanied by his wife Phoebe, begun in Sebei diocese on Monday and later on visited Mbale diocese before proceeding to Busoga.

“I do not wear the yellow colour, blue or green but I wear red robes, whose colour signifies the blood that Jesus Christ shed to save mankind. I represent him, it is my duty to ask him to guide the president, Parliament, and Judiciary as they execute their duties,” he explained.

Orombi however cautioned political leaders to endeavour to change the popular perception among people that politicians are liars by exhibiting honesty.

He described church ministers as ambassadors of God, chosen to implement his work, not their own. Our Church is rich with money and people. We only need to be honest and faithful, and then our business will grow tremendously,” he advised.

Orombi commended the Busoga Bishop Dr. Michael Kyomya for being 'very organized' and empowering the youth by encouraging them to actively participate in church activities.  

He also thanked Ernest Sempebwa and Robina Shonubi, the director of Orombi foundation, who compiled a book containing Orombi's message over the years as Arch Bishop.

The book titled 'Memoirs of an Arch Bishop's words' also translated in Luganda, was handed to the Archbishop by 93 year old Sempebwa during the function.

Kyomya lauded Orombi saying under his leadership, construction work on the church house project which he said was just a dream had begun and will soon be completed.

The speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga who is also the Kamuli woman Member of Parliament noted that Orombi's good work could be easily.

She however, asked for his continued support towards the establishment of the proposed Central Busoga and East Busoga dioceses, which are to be created out of the current Busoga diocese, with headquarters in Iganga and Bugiri district respectively.

Kadaga also asked the church for the recognition of the 47 martyrs who died at Kyando in Mayuge district and to support efforts by Busoga leaders to develop the site into a tourist site.

Lands, housing and urban development minister Daudi Migereko, members of parliament, Justice Faith Mwondha and retired Busoga Bishop Cyprian Bamwoze attended.