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Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) chairperson Dr. Samuel Kaziimba Mugala has explained why they had long refused to meet with the opposition party leaders.

The explanation by Church of Uganda Archbishop Kaziimba comes after the long-awaited meeting between Opposition leaders and IRCU was held on January 22, 2024, at IRCU head offices in Mengo, Kampala.

While addressing the media, Kaziimba said the first time the Opposition leaders wanted to reach out to the IRCU, it didn’t go through the proper channels and that instead of them writing to the co-ordinating office, they wrote to individuals of IRCU. According to Kaziimba, some letters came late to the people that they were addressed to.

“We have guided our brothers that if they have anything, we have our secretariat and we have our secretary general. This time round, they did it correctly that why we met them,” Kaziimba said.

IRCU's approach is different

He noted that many think that religious leaders have not spoken enough but it is about the way you approach a person adding that the approach of the IRCU is far different from that of other people.

Samuel Kaziimba Mugala, the chairperson of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) interacting with Bishop Joshua Lwere, Winnie Kizza and Dr. Lina Zedriga the National Unity Platform (NUP) vice president in charge of Northern Uganda shortly after a meeting at the IRCU head offices in Mengo on January 22, 2024. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

“We have a way of approaching people individually or through institutions so that our voices are heard. Some people think that when you go and attack somebody or speak publicly that will work in your favour. But when you approach these people individually or as an institution, your voices will be heard,” Kaziimba said adding that Opposition and IRCU came to a consensus that they will keep on working together for a better Uganda.

The Uganda we want

“The Uganda you want according to IRCU is a God-fearing country, educated, healthy, harmonious country among others and we use the pulpit and other avenues to ensure that reach out to the different people for a Uganda that we want,” Kaziimba added.

He noted that they will continue meeting with all political parties because they are non-partisan adding that as religious leaders, they must ensure that all God’s people are given the same attention that they deserve.

“Just like it is in the places of worship, you cannot speak out for one political party but we speak for all people. That is why we are always calculative and concerned to bring out truth with love, passion, and compassion,” Kaziimba added.

Silence at a time needed the most

Flanked by Winnie Kizza, National Unity Platform (NUP) secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) secretary general Harold Kaija, among other Opposition leaders, Parliament Leader of Opposition (LoP) Joel Ssenyonyi said for quite some time, the forces of change/Opposition have been trying to reach out to the IRCU for various engagements and prayers in vain.

Ssenyonyi said IRCU has been silent at a time when the opposition leaders but most especially oppressed Ugandans needed them the most.

“We have been reaching out to the IRCU to tell and ask them to amplify their voices on injustice, brutalities and human rights violations among others but they have been silent. As politicians, we have our part to play but the religious leaders have a critical role to play and their voices can even be heard louder when they speak out,” Ssenyonyi said.

He added that the Opposition principals would have attended the meeting with the IRCU officials but they are currently under house arrest.

“Our party principals were meant to take charge of this whole process and were looking to being part of this whole engagement but they are currently under house arrest and others are on the run simply because they are raising their voices about the poor service delivery, injustice that keeps happening in Uganda,” Ssenyonyi said.

He, however, noted that the engagement with the IRCU has been a fruitful one adding that the Inter-Religious Council has pledged to continue connecting with the opposition leaders, share ideas, and give guidance to the opposition leaders and Ugandans at large.