RELIGION

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Christian political leaders, especially Members of Parliament in Bunyoro region have been ordered to choose either Christianity or Faith of Unity Movement.

Bunyoro Kitara Diocese bishop emeritus Nathan Kyamanywa says as Christian religious leaders, they are concerned over the increasing violation of Christian values by politicians in disguise of seeking votes.

Kyamanywa was on Tuesday preaching at a thanksgiving organised by the Bunyoro National Resistance Movement (NRM) party mobiliser Michael Ayeranga Christopher at his home in Kyakirube village, Bugambe sub-county in Kikuube district.

Without mentioning the names of politicians, the Bishop said several Christian political leaders have often been seen kneeling and worshipping the leader of Faith of Unity Movement Owobusobozi Bisaka, seeking blessings and praising and worshipping him.

He noted that as spiritual leaders, they are unhappy with such acts from leaders, adding that they want to invite a synod to pass a resolution to start excommunicating political leaders who will continue going to worship Bisaka yet they still profess to be Christians.

He added that the Church will also mobilise Christians not to vote for such politicians because their actions compromise the Christian faith, and undermine and belittle Jesus Christ’s mission.

He challenged such politicians to decide either to remain Christians or join the Faith of Unity Movement.

“As spiritual leaders, we are very disappointed about some politicians who go to worship human beings. The point is not going to other worshipping places but going to worship a human being who they know was born, can die and was not there from the beginning. The world has been there for ages without these people. So, now we argue that anybody who wants to go to wherever they go, let them identify themselves clearly that they belong there," he said.

"We are not saying that leaders should not go to the shrine of Bisaka, they should go there as leaders but not as believers, they should attend because we have people and children there so they also need to be given attention and care but when they go and begin worshipping a human being then tomorrow come to our churches claiming that they Christians that is unacceptable," Kyamanywa added.

“I'm proposing that we hold a synod in our Church to decide that whoever goes there as leaders, worships this person, asks for blessings and Kanzu then we should excommunicate them so that they belong where they belong; so that we know them for who they are, if they are Christians they are Christians if they are not Christians they should say so. Other than looking for votes, they should go there as leaders and not as believers,” he said.   

Double standards

Bunyoro Kitara Bishop Samuel Kahuma on Monday, during the Christmas sermon, also condemned politicians whom he accused of violating Christian values, adding that such politicians are not supposed to be leaders.

"That is having double standards. You cannot serve two masters at ago; you cannot be for Jesus and then serve other gods," the bishop said.

The Bishops' demands and condemnations followed a viral audio in which Eric Musana Acaali, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Buyaga East in Kagadi district, introduced himself as ‘Omuhereza' as he addressed a congregation of the Faith of Unity Movement followers in Mukono municipality last week.

Omuhereza’ is one of the senior titles of leadership in the Faith of Unity Movement.

The lawmaker apologised to the Christians after he appeared at St Luke Church of Uganda (COU) in Kagadi town for prayers when church leaders preached against him saying that his statement was an embarrassment to the church.

MP Eric Musana Acaali is the not first MP to be criticised for kneeling and worshipping Bisaka. For instance, Hoima West Division MP Joseph Ruyonga, Buhaguzi East MP Steven Asera Itaza, Buhaguzi County MP Francis Kazine and Barnabus Tinkasimere of Buyanga West recently also received criticism from religious leaders and Christians for kneeling before Bisaka, worshipping and praising him as a god of power despite being Christians.

Fundraising 

Speaking during his thanksgiving where shillings 12 million was contributed towards the completion of Kyakirube Church of Uganda, Ayeranga commended religious leaders for promoting spiritual guidance and development to the society.

However, he challenged religious leaders to mobilise their followers to embrace government poverty alleviation programmes such as PDM and Emyooga to improve their household income.