Fort Portal bishop urges peaceful participation in 2026 elections

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As Uganda prepares for the 2026 general elections, the Bishop of Fort Portal Diocese, Rt Rev. Robert Muhirwa, has urged citizens to embrace prayer, saying the electoral period should be guided by God’s wisdom and love.

In his Christmas message delivered during a press conference on December 23, 2025, Bishop Muhirwa called on Christians and people of goodwill to pray for the nation’s leaders, the Electoral Commission and voters to ensure the upcoming elections are conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner.

“Pray for our country as we enter into the general elections and the candidates vying for different offices, so that they get prepared well,” he said. “Let us also pray for ourselves as voters against any kind of misunderstanding between ourselves,” he added.

The bishop emphasised that elections should not be a source of conflict but rather an opportunity for citizens to exercise their democratic rights responsibly.

Muhirwa also challenged citizens to actively participate in the country’s democratic process by exercising their right to vote in the 2026 general elections, describing voting as both a civic duty and a moral responsibility.

According to him, voters should not stay away from the polls, warning that apathy weakens democracy and denies citizens a voice in shaping the future of the nation.

“It is very important to know your right as a voter, that’s why you should not be intimidated from voting,” he said. “It is our right to vote responsible leaders, and if you do not vote, you will be weakening the democratic process,” he added.

The bishop noted that elections provide an opportunity for citizens to influence leadership and national direction through lawful and peaceful means. He called on voters to make informed choices guided by values such as integrity, justice and service to the common good.

Curb extravagant Christmas spending

Separately, Muhirwa called on Christians and the general public to curb extravagant spending during the Christmas season and instead prioritise sharing with the less privileged in society.

He said the true meaning of Christmas is found in love, humility and care for others, not in lavish celebrations and unnecessary luxury.

“Let us not spend extravagantly, our children will go back to school, and they will need school fees,” he said. “It is okay to wear he dress you put in last year, it is not against the law and eat less,” he added.