Former general duties minister and National Resistance Movement (NRM) vice-chairperson for the Buganda region, Haji Abdul Nadduli, has called on Baganda youth not to fall for political groups who wish to mislead them into confrontations with the Government.

Nadduli said such behaviour risks undoing the progress made in restoring peace in the country. He said rather than being influenced into ‘empty political activism’, the youth should embrace government programmes, including the Parish Development Model and work towards improving their social well-being.

Nadduli said as a person who participated in the liberation struggle that brought the current government to power and has lived through previous regimes, Uganda, now, under NRM is on the right track.

“My advice to you, therefore, is don’t fight against the Government. Just support it because it is the Government (of NRM) that will help you move forward in your endeavours,” he said.

Nadduli, 81, was speaking as a chief guest at the ordination ceremony of priests of the Evangelical Orthodox Church in Uganda, Namugongo in Wakiso district on Sunday.

The newly consecrated bishops of the Evangelical Orthodox Church in Uganda

Those ordained included Bishop Dr John Baptist Matovu, Bishop Joseph Bizibu Birungi and Bishop Bruno Ssekiryamuba Muhindo, who were subsequently elected as the Auxiliary Bishop of Uganda, Auxiliary Bishop of Kampala Diocese and Bishop of North Kivu Diocese in DR Congo, respectively.

The three were elected in the Evangelical Orthodox Church International Synod that sat on November 4, in Indianapolis, US.

At the event, Nadduli, who is also a senior presidential advisor on political mobilisation, used the event to caution Ugandans against religious intolerance, saying it runs counter to NRM’s ideology.

He thanked Bishop Jacinto Kibuuka of Mamre International Prayer Centre in Namugongo for pursuing the direction of peace, where they welcome and work well with people from other religious groups.

“I want to wish you God’s blessings because you have chosen humility over religious bigotry. Continue to ordain more bishops to shepherd God’s people,” he said.

GOVERNMENT HAILED

Kibuuka thanked the Government for upholding religious freedom in the country, noting that when his church started five years ago, he was told by some groups that did not wish them well that he would not even last a month.

“I never fail to thank the NRM Government for the 1995 Constitution which talks about the freedom of religious worship. If it were not for that, we would not be here. We pray that you (government) continue protecting that Constitution because we are no longer rejected. In Christ Jesus we have a new identity,” he said.

Elgon North MP Gerald Nangoli, who represented the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, urged ordained bishops to intensify the message against the growing problem of corruption.

“Our young people should be taught the importance of moral values and human dignity,” he said.