Mao hails Church of Uganda for guiding peace efforts in northern Uganda

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Justice and constitutional affairs minister and president general of the Democratic Party (DP), Norbert Mao, has praised the Church of Uganda, particularly the dioceses of Northern Uganda and other sister dioceses in Acholi land, for their efforts in mediating peace between the Government of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels.

Mao commended the Anglican bishops for their hard work, perseverance, dedication, and bravery during the darkest years of the bloody LRA conflict, which played a crucial role in restoring peace to Acholi land and the Greater North and in driving post-war recovery.

He made the remarks during a packed Sunday service at Christ Church Parish in Gulu city.

Mao, accompanied by his wife, Beatrice Nambi, said: “Today, I am happy in a split of many years to come back to Christ Church, the Church that raised and moulded me into who and what I am today. It is with great honour that I come to pray to God and greet you, the clergy and all your levels and my esteemed Christians, brothers and sisters of this great Christ Church. This Church moulded many people, among whom are leaders of all levels and capacities like me (Mao).”

He recalled his early years in the parish: “I remember I was here, in this Church, when I was only 26 years old, when senior and retired Anglican bishops like the late Retired bishop, Rev. Gideon Allan Oboma, Bishop McLeod Baker Ochola II of the Diocese of Kitgum and bishop Rev. Nelson Onono-onweng.

They (Bishops) used to sermon me home and cautioned, advised and groomed me into a better God-fearing leader and whenever I made reckless political statements.”

Church development

On the development of the Church, Mao pledged to strengthen his working relationship with Christ Church, which he credited with nurturing him into national leadership.

He promised to support the expansion of Christ Church from its current size into a 5,000-capacity complex with annexed offices and other attached institutions.

“Whether I am invited or not by the Church authority, I right away offer myself to be part of the core church committee to see to it that this Church is technically extended to a higher capacity as per the master plan. I saw the artistically plan the project here to the Christians in the Church today,” Mao stated, drawing thunderous applause from the congregation.

Support towards the choir

Mao pledged sh5m to support the Christ Church Choir-Gulu (CCC-G) in its nine-year quest to participate in the 11th International Hymns Festival (IHF), to be held this year in Mombasa, Kenya, from October 27 to November 2, 2025.

He said it was important to help the choir as a “second Holy Altar” to travel, join other Anglican choirs from East Africa, and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through spiritually inspiring hymns.

Mao's wife, Nambi, thanked the Christians of Gulu city and the people of Acholi for warmly welcoming her after she resigned from her job with an American-based computer company in the UK, before marrying and wedding her husband in Gulu city in June 2024.

Retired Anglican Canon, Rev. Othniel Ayela Okot-Labeja, also praised Mao for being not only an exemplary political leader but also a committed Christian who had never forgotten his spiritual roots.

“On behalf of this congregation, the Church of Uganda and I, I thank you for coming back to your Church and for remembering that home is home. Hence, it is important to always return and support home as your origin even if you continue with your work serving in the government and the people of Uganda elsewhere,” said Rev. Canon Ayela.