By Benedict Okethwengu
Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi has explained that good leadership is not about public criticism, but is entrenched in dialogue and working together with different people.
Orombi was reacting to criticism that he does not openly criticise the NRM government on issues deemed wrong.
“People say I do not criticise the President. But I had access to the President when I needed him on certain national issues and on many occasions, he gave me the time where we sat and talked as elders. The president knows what I want from him. In leadership, the way you talk to somebody matters and it must focus on dialogue and living together,” he added.
He also praised the government for its cordial relationship with the church. He was last week speaking at Boma West in Nebbi at a farewell service organised for him by Nebbi diocese.
Orombi, who served as bishop of Nebbi diocese before becoming Archbishop of the Church of Uganda in 2003, was treated to a thunderous welcome by many Christians.
He appealed to leaders to listen to the demands of the people to avoid conflict.
He also noted that corruption cannot end if the people in authority do not control their desire for accumulation of more wealth.
“For a corrupt person, nothing is enough. Therefore, corruption simply means what I have is not enough.. The solution can only be in seeking salvation,” he said.
Orombi said when he took over the leadership of the Church of Uganda, he had access to a lot of money but he did not use a single penny for his personal benefit.
“When I come home, I will be a peace-maker. Jesus said blessed are the peace-makers because they will see God. The north needs peace and reconciliation because we have injured one another. Kony (LRA rebel leader) is a northerner but he has killed his own brothers and sisters,” he added.
He urged people in the north to unite and invest in the region rather than fight one another over land.
“Time has come for us to unite and hold each other’s hands. For a long time we have been fighting each other. We cannot agree and love each other. We promote strangers and not our own brothers. Time has come for us to unite, support and encourage one another,” he said during a service at St. Phillip’s Cathedral in Gulu.
Rebecca Omugo Otengo, the minister for Northern Uganda, described Orombi as a transparent leader who approaches leaders and tells them whatever they have done wrong, in good faith.
Additional reporting by Chris Ocowun
