Minister of State for Ethics & Integrity, Fr. Simon Lokodo, has urged religious leaders to preach messages of peace, reconciliation and tolerance as the country heals from the recent tense political season.

“Faith leaders have a unique role to play in community development, especially in times of crisis. Your sermons especially right now should be collective and uniting as the country strives to heal from wounds of the just concluded elections,” Lokodo said.

He made the call during an Interfaith Harmony Week Dinner organised by Nile Dialogue Platform (NDP) in Muyenga, Kampala Friday.

The dinner was organized under the theme; “Living the spirit of harmony and solidarity amidst COVID-19 in a wounded world.

Hajji Abdu Katende, one of the Directors of Nile Dialogue Platform and Lecturer of Religion and Peace Studies at Makerere University and Fr. Vicent Karatunga of Uganda Catholic Secretariat during an Interfaith Harmony Week Dinner in Muyenga, Kampala

 Lokodo said Uganda is bigger than all of us and we must strive to build it together instead of destabilizing it.

“People should look at politics with lenses of service to humanity and not do or die thing. Let us take the message of peace because violence has no place in our beloved country,” Lokodo said.

 The dinner is celebrated every year and gives an opportunity for communities to interact positively with each other and also raise awareness on the need for interfaith dialogue, tolerance and peaceful coexistence in our communities.

It was attended by the general public, students, the religious and cultural leaders, civil society organization, private sector among others, to share ideas on how to foster dialogue and tolerance in our communities.

Photo caption: Minister of State for Ethics & Integrity, Fr. Simon Lokodo (centre) with some of the clerics during an Interfaith Harmony Week Dinner organised by Nile Dialogue Platform in Muyenga, Kampala today. Photos by Abou Kisige