Keep Uganda's politics clean, church tells aspirants

The chaplain of St. Kakumba chapel, Kyambogo University, Rev. Emmanuel Mwesigwa on Sunday called on all candidates vying for various elective posts countrywide to stick to clean and honest politics.

According to Mwesigwa, since the Electoral Commission (EC) opened the campaign exercise for the 2016 general elections, a number of aspirants have started playing what he termed as 'dirty politicking'.

"The church is decrying the dirty politics some people are involved in; some use witchcraft to disable their opponents, others with malice are hiding opponents' posters and others are involved in all sorts of violence," he said.

Mwesigwa said this during the special prayers for the nation, focusing on elections and praying for candidates vying for various elective posts in Nakawa division at St. Kakumba chapel in Kyambogo University, Kampala.

The clergy said the clashes between the various supporters of different candidates countrywide are turning destructive and costly, especially to local people who lose property and lives innocently.

"We are fed up with protests and fights. The aspirants should instead go on a round table and discuss the issues rather than look at each other as enemies.

At the 50 years of independence, we should learn to solve our concerns maturely and gather ideas for agenda of development," he said.

Mwesigwa quoting the scripture in Micah 6:8 said, "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Mwesigwa said if Uganda is to have peaceful general elections, political players and the public should respect each other's political ideology.

"There is no need to disrespect or fight one another because of supporting different political camps. We should love and respect one another despite the different political groups we belong to," he said.

The clergy also condemned the growing corruption, land grabbing, empty promises to the voters and greed.

He further challenged Ugandans to desist from telling lies. He said people nowadays are telling lies on radio and in newspapers recklessly.

"Many people have become liars and they don't remember that God hates it. For instance, politicians after being voted for, they tend to disappear and forget people who voted them into power. This is bad and the Bible doesn't encourage lies because it's evil," he said.

The leader of the service, Rev. Canon Ruth Galimaka urged politicians to restrain their supporters from violence during the ongoing campaigns so that the country can have peaceful elections.

A number of aspirants from Nakawa division and other areas including Members of Parliament (MPs), division mayor and councilors all thronged St. Kakumba chapel for the prayers.

Kenneth Kakande who is contesting as Nakawa MP said the prayers will help candidates change their mindset and focus on building Uganda.

The incumbent, who is also the Attorney General Fred Ruhindi said;  "I ask all politicians to stop intimidating supporters so that we can have a peaceful exercise for 2016 presidential election.''

Harriet Ssebuwufu, contesting for divisional mayorship told believers to vote candidates who will help the country make laws to fight evil.