Faith, character, raise the soul of the nation
The question, then, is not whether faith has contributed to character formation in Uganda. It has, profoundly. But I find myself asking a gentle question, one I put to myself as much as anyone: now that we have such reach, are we going deep enough? writes Barbara Kaija
Barbara Kaija. (File)
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OPINION
Last week, I spent time at the Big Fix Holy Spirit Global Conference at Miracle Centre Cathedral in Rubaga, Kampala. Thousands gathered over seven days to pray, worship and reflect on restoration, wisdom and transformation, with more than 40 countries represented and large delegations from Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, China and France. Pr Robert Kayanja and his formidable team spared no effort to create an atmosphere of worship that moved even the quietest observer.
One message stayed with me: wisdom is not simply knowing something; it is knowing what to do with what you know.
That speaks directly to the work of raising and forming our children and youth.
Let me begin with gratitude. For generations, Uganda’s churches, mosques and other faith communities have shaped not only what we believe, but how we live. They have built schools and hospitals, cared for the vulnerable, steadied families and offered a moral compass through seasons of great upheaval.
That contribution is matched by extraordinary reach. The 2024 census found that 81.7% of Ugandans identify as Christian and 13.2% as Muslim: about 16.6 million Catholics, 13.3 million Anglicans, 6.5 million Pentecostal and Evangelical Christians, and just over 6 million Muslims.
The educational footprint is just as striking. The Church of Uganda reports 5,200 primary schools, 630 secondary schools, 50 vocational institutions, 15 teacher-training colleges and five universities. The education ministry data shows 4,678 Catholic-founded primary schools and 493 secondary schools. Muslim communities run more than 1,500 primary schools, 193 secondary schools, five technical institutions, two primary teacher-training colleges and two Islamic universities, and other faith communities extend this reach further.
The question, then, is not whether faith has contributed to character formation in Uganda. It has, profoundly. But I find myself asking a gentle question, one I put to myself as much as anyone: now that we have such reach, are we going deep enough?
World that speaks loudly to children
Home, school and place of worship still matter enormously, but they now share the formative space with smartphones, social media, influencers, artificial intelligence and global entertainment. Young people meet extraordinary opportunity there, and also new pressures around identity, relationships, money, gambling and substances. Ideas that once travelled slowly through communities can now enter a child’s bedroom through a screen, often before any parent or pastor has had the chance to speak.
None of this means the present is all bad or the past all good. Every generation must keep what is precious in its inheritance while discerning what is worthwhile in the world emerging around it. Our traditions are well equipped for that task. Christianity teaches love of neighbour, integrity and stewardship. Islam gives great weight to akhlaq, good character, with honesty, justice, modesty and responsibility. Our African heritage reminds us through Ubuntu that a person flourishes only in relationship with others. These are not relics; they may be needed more now than ever.
From pulpit to practice
As faith reaches us through congregations, radio, television and social media, the measure of success deserves a second look. Attendance, followers and scripture knowledge matter, but they are not the whole harvest. The deeper question is: what kind of people are we forming?
When faith reaches these everyday choices, it moves from pulpit to practice. Faith-founded schools are well placed to hold integrity and service alongside academic excellence. A child who learns honesty in the classroom is far more likely to practise it in the boardroom and the ministry.
It takes an ecology to raise a child
In the Emerging Leaders Programme we speak of educating the head, hands, heart and feet: knowledge and judgement, competence, character and empathy, and finally service to neighbour and nation. No school can do this alone.
Character is shaped by an ecology of family, school, peers, faith, community, culture and media, and faith organisations sit in several of those spaces at once. That gives them unusual reach and a unique opportunity.
Uganda does not need to build new infrastructure for character. We need to reawaken the purpose of what we already have and connect it: government, faith foundation bodies, the Inter-Religious Council, cultural institutions, universities, families and civil society, working towards a shared agenda for character and citizenship.
At the close of the conference, President Museveni commended Pr Kayanja for connecting ministry with agriculture and community development. That was a good sign. Faith is most powerful when what is believed becomes what is lived.
If we can harness this great reservoir of faith for forming character, restoring the morals and soul of our nation need not remain a distant hope. Our faith communities have carried us this far, and I believe they can raise leaders who are as honest as they are gifted, and as caring as they are capable.
The writer is an educationist, media communication specialist and the chairperson of the board of the Emerging Leaders’ Programme Kaijabarbara@gmail.com WhatsApp: 0708746624