Kampala Catholic archbishop Ssemogerere condemns violence, calls for mutual respect
Ssemogerere asked all political actors to cultivate a culture of mutual respect and patriotism in order to ensure peace and stability during the general election come January 2026.
Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere (wearing a white cassock) with the partners and Coordinators of Justice and Peace after the launching of the Kampala Archdiocese Justice and Peace Strategic Plan at the archdiocesan offices in Lubaga on Monday, July 21, 2025. (Photos by Mathias Mazinga.)
By Mathias Mazinga
Journalists @New Vision
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Kampala Catholic archbishop Paul Ssemogerere has expressed profound sadness about the unprecedented violence that manifested during the recent National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries.
Ruling party NRM held its Member of Parliament primaries on July 17, 2025, across over 70,000 villages around the country. However, there were pockets of violence in hotspots, with some causing loss of lives.
L-R: Lady Takirambule, Regina Bakitte, Archbishop Ssemogerere, and Fr Emmanuel Sita during the launching of the strategic plan of the Justice and Peace Depratment of Kampala Archdipcese at the archdiocesan head office in Lubaga on Monday, July 21 2025. 
So, on July 21, Ssemogerere asked all political actors to cultivate a culture of mutual respect and patriotism in order to ensure peace and stability during the general election come January 2026.
“The violence we saw during the NRM primaries was unbelievable. How could people of one-party fight and in some instances, even kill each other?! We need to respect each other. Elections should not be messed up. Let’s preserve the peace and unity of our country.”
“The 1995 Constitution is clear on human rights and dignity. Apparently, some people come to politics with evil motives and mislead Ugandans. This is our country. Let’s respect each other so that we leave a future for our country and our children,” Ssemogerere said.
He was presiding over the official launching of the strategic plan of the archdiocese's justice and peace department at the archdiocesan offices at Rubaga in Kampala when he made the comments.
The Director of the Department of Justice and Peace in Kampala Archdiocese, Fr Emmanuel Sita delivers his remarks during the launching of the strategic plan. 
Ssemogerere asked Christians to pray for political leaders to cherish and promote peace, unity and human rights and called for collective responsibility in the promotion of justice and peace.
Diocesan director of justice and peace Fr Emmanuel Sita highlighted the objectives of the strategic plan, one of which is, “to have a people with power and control over their own lives in a just and peaceful society.”
During the same function, Ssemogerere also launched the “Peace Run,” a new activity of the peace month, which will take place on September 6.
The function was graced by representatives from partner organisations such as John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre, and Mwagale Foundation, among others.