Bishops urge peace in polls, discourage insulting losing candidates publicly

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The bishop of Bunyoro Kitara (Jacob Ateirweho) and Hoima (Vicent Kirabo Amooti) have urged the region's residents to uphold peace and unity as the country heads to the 2026 General Election this week.

The call was sounded on Monday (January 12, 2026) during a courtesy call by the deputy National Security Task Force for Bunyoro Maj. Gen. Leopold Eric Kyanda at the Bishops' houses in Duhaga and Bujumbura cells in Hoima West Division in Hoima city, respectively.

Ateirweho of Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese emphasised that God desires his people to live at peace with one another and nobody should go against His wish. 

He noted that Bunyoro and the Country at large has enjoyed peace, and Ugandans should strive to continue keeping this peace during and after the election.

Ateirweho urged the electoral commission to exhibit transparency to ensure that they deliver free and fair elections. He also urged the candidates and their supporters to follow Electoral Commission guidelines and that by doing this, the Country will have peaceful elections.

The bishop also reminded the candidates that leadership comes from God and urged them to exhibit the spirit of accepting the results that will come out of the elections.

“We want to thank you that you have showing interest in leading us, but I want to remind you that leadership comes from God; it is God who chooses leaders. So, if you have not been elected, accept that God has not chosen me and thank God because the Bible tells us to thank God in any circumstance”  

He also warned the victors against ridiculing the losers to ensure peace and stability.  

Bishop Hoima Catholic diocese, Kirabo centre, posing for a photo with Henry Wabyona, President’s Private Secretary on Political and Diaspora Affairs and Maj. Gen. Leopold Bunyoro's deputy National Security Task Force. (Photo by Peter Abaanabasazi)

Bishop Kirabo Amooti called on Ugandans and people of Bunyoro to avoid engaging in any form of violence and urged them to turn up in big numbers to exercise their right to vote.

“The Episcopal Conference is appealing to the public to maintain peace and to focus their heart on voting well because voting is for little time but the major aim of voting is to vote people to lead us in peace, so we ask you to protect peace, do not get excited, do not quarrel, do not fight and vote responsibly”, he said.   

Kyanda commended the bishops for their messages and urged the public to adhere to the clergy’s message of peace, calling for unity and calm among the public.