Politicians banned from talking during religious gatherings

By Owiny Jolly Tobbias

THE diocese of Northern Uganda has banned politicians from talking during religious gatherings it organizes.

As the 2016 general elections get closer, many politicians are trying to steal a march on their rivals by declaring their political ambitions whenever they are invited to make an address or greeting.

The ban was declared on Tuesday by Bishop Johnson Gakumba while speaking at St Peter’s Church of Uganda during Archbishop Stanley Ntagali’s visit to the Bobi archdeaconry.

Bishop Gakumba said it is very wrong to politicize religious functions since it is drawing away believers’ attention from prayers and planting enmity among them.

Archbishop Ntagali hugs the deputy speaker of parliament, Hon Jacob Olanya at the event. Photo by Owiny Jolly Tobbias

The Bishop’s warning came after Kochongako LC5 councilor Rose Nyapolo hinted to the congregation her interest to unseat Gulu woman MP Betty Aol Ochan in 2016 when she was invited to welcome the Archbishop on behalf of the councilors.

“During the Archbishop’s next visit, we shall acknowledge politicians by inviting them to stand up but will not be allowed to talk,” Bishop Gakumba said.

In her reaction, MP Ochan said barring politicians from talking at religious functions was a move that comes at a wrong time.

“Blocking leaders from talking at gatherings is a disgrace and is a politically fronted move to embarrass opposition politicians who in most cases table community concerns.”

Ochan was also recently barred from talking during President Museveni’s recent visit to Gulu.

Archbishop Ntagali is in the Diocese of Northern Uganda to visit all its archdeaconries.