Reject violence in 2026 General Election — Lira Bishop Wanok

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Lira Catholic bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok has urged Ugandans to emulate Jesus Christ and promote peace during the 2026 General Election.

“Restore peace as a community, family and the nation Uganda. As our country's motto says, “For God and My Country," we should not inflict any wound on anybody, we should vote with peace, love and joy,” Wanok says. 

Bishop passed the message while celebrating the English Mass on Christmas at the Uganda Martyrs Cathedral in Lira city, stressing that any leadership without truth from the authority, authority without conscience doesn’t satisfy anybody.

“Celebrate Christmas not only as a memorial, but also as a celebration of life. Jesus came to us not with noise, force, fear or intimidation, but he came as a child and in silence,” he told the congregation.  

He added that a leader does not introduce themselves but is known by their work in the community that transforms the lives of the people.

"Christmas is preparing Ugandans for the General Election. Are you going to elect the leaders or those who are bragging around?” he said.

According to the bishop, Christmas reminds people of a simple truth: peace is not found in the streets or somewhere, but in their hearts. If they want to maintain peace, they should choose peace, forgiveness, and mercy, rather than fighting to achieve it.

He said that in Uganda, politicians will have to resort to lies, and immediately after being elected, they go into hiding, tinting their cars, leaving voters with only dust while passing through trading centres. This is why he advises people to elect politicians who are rooted in Christ. 

“You go ahead with electing such a person, then you continue living with the problem”.

"When you are a leader, be ready to live with the people, where they are rejoicing, you rejoice together, when they are suffering, you suffer with them, and this is the meaning of Christmas,” bishop Wanok tasks leaders.

Not a do-or-die affair

He asked contestants not to make politics a do-or-die, that they don't even want to see their opponents or his/her picture, adding that violence should be rejected.

“We Christians must never enter the politics of hatred because it contradicts not only Christmas but our lives,” Wanok said.

He also advised the politicians that “youth must not be manipulated, the situation of the poor must not be taken advantage of, don't bribe a voter to elect you”.

The bishop also warned against drunkenness to celebrate Christmas saying some people are drinking themselves to death, thinking they are celebrating yet Christmas is a silence that makes Christ be born in ones’ life.‎

The clergy also warned against abortion, describing it as a sin and that no one should ever try it in any situation.

Lira city mayor Sam Atul, who attended the mass, urged the Christians to allow Christ to be born in their lives.