Don’t betray yourselves, go vote — Busoga Bishop

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JINJA - The Busoga bishop, Prof. Grace Lubaale, has urged Ugandans to fully participate in Today's (Thursday, January 15, 2026) presidential and parliamentary elections, warning that failure to vote amounts to betraying themselves and selling their country.

Lubaale, who will cast his vote from his country home in Butansi, Kamuli district, said in such hard times, citizens should not trust people who shy away from making decisions through voting. Without mincing words, he likened such conduct to treason.

“During hard times when you need to decide who should be your leaders and the person chooses to disappear, don’t trust them,” he said.

The bishop made the remarks during prayers at Christ Cathedral Bugembe in Jinja city, northern division, where 81 Christians were confirmed into the Anglican Church of Uganda.

He also criticised elites who shun the electoral process, but later complain about decisions made by others on their behalf.

Lubaale urged all eligible voters to turn up and decide who should be president, legislators and local leaders.

The third service attracted several political aspirants, including opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) Jinja city mayoral candidate Mubarak Kirunda and Chris Blattah, vying for Katende Ward in Jinja northern division, who attended with their party symbol, the umbrella.

Independent mayoral candidate for the same area, Muzafaru Bulera, also attended, carrying a ball.

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) was represented by Jenipher Kongo, the assistant Kamuli resident district officer, and Stephen Wante, the former Bugembe town council LC3 chairperson.

As is customary, Bishop Lubaale blessed all candidates after they introduced themselves and the positions they were contesting for.

Kirunda and Blattah used the opportunity to seek support for their presidential flag-bearer, Robert Kyagulanyi.

Kongo said she represented the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, and was allowed to address the congregation.

She mobilised support for NRM presidential flag bearer Yoweri Museveni and Kadaga, saying Busoga had made massive gains that needed protection.

Later, Lubaale urged voters to guard their votes and ensure transparency.

“Protect your votes and use your phones to record the counting and announcing of results,” he said, warning against altering declaration forms.

Lubaale called for peace, saying losers should accept results and wait until 2031, noting that Uganda is not ending.

Drawing from the Bible, he cited the replacement of Judas Iscariot, where Matthias won through voting, and Justus continued serving God.

Although a Muslim, Kirunda said they sought blessings ahead of the polls.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We needed these blessings from the new bishop ahead of the new Uganda, where health and education services would be for free,” he said.