Msgr Kayondo blames election violence on politicians’ greed for power

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The Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Lugazi, Msgr Dr Richard Kayondo, has decried the growing greed for power among politicians, saying it has fuelled election violence and led to the deaths of supporters.

Msgr Kayondo said that even at this early stage in the electoral process, some Ugandans have already lost their lives, while others are nursing injuries.

He urged political actors to control their appetite for leadership and allow for peaceful campaigns and elections.

He made the remarks on August 3, 2025, while leading the Namagunga Parish Day celebrations, which marked 98 years since the parish was established in 1927. Namagunga is the oldest of the 33 parishes that make up Lugazi Diocese.

Msgr Kayondo said that the growing desire for material wealth and power is behind the rise in immorality and criminal acts, including murder, theft, and other ungodly behaviour.

He expressed concern that with general elections around the corner, the country may witness disturbing incidents, such as people killing others simply to gain high elective office. 

He warned that all acts of selfishness would attract severe consequences from God.

“Because of such greed, which is a characteristic of sin, indiscipline has risen to shaming levels with people kicking their biological mothers out of their matrimonial homes; everything should be in moderation, and whenever this is missing, the perpetrator is destined to become a disgrace to society,” he noted.

Msgr Kayondo also presided over the confirmation of more than 400 children and a mass wedding ceremony involving three couples.

Among those wed were 103-year-old Ernest Adulu and 83-year-old Elizabeth Abo of Walusubi Village in Nama subcounty, Mukono district; Charles Olepus and Magdalene Babirye from Wakiso village in Mukono district; and Stephen Ochenyi and Diana Ajolo of Namataba village in Namataba town council.

Due to advanced age, Adulu has lost his sight, although he is still able to walk unaided with the help of a walking stick.

Presenting the parish report, the head of laity, Herbert Kambugu, said that the parish has started income-generating projects such as coffee planting to strengthen its financial capacity and ease the burden on parishioners.

Kambugu noted that the parish currently has 15 of the required 17 catechists. Despite the shortfall, he said the team has continued to carry out commendable work.

The parish priest and Dean of Namagunga Deanery, Fr John Chrysostom Sserwadda, thanked the parishioners for their contributions to the successful organisation of the celebrations and encouraged them to continue supporting church activities.