Religious leaders to preach about pornography every month

(Left to right) The director for religious affairs in the directorate of ethics and integrity, Rev Cannon Aaron Mwesigye, the executive director of Family Life Network, Pastor Stephen Langa and ethics and integrity minister Simon Lokodo sharing a light moment  during the sensitisation workshop against pornography held at Hotel Africana last week. Photos by Shamim Saad

Religious leaders have pledged to stand with the pornography control committee to fight pornography in the country. The move is aimed at showing the dangers pornography poses to the society.

"Pornography contributes directly to numerous, destructive problems, including sexual violence against women, child molestation, child prostitution, sexually transmitted diseases, addiction among men, and severe changes in attitudes and values towards women and children. We must fight it," said Pastor Sarah Mukisa of Nakulabye Christian Center. 

Mukisa revealed this during a sensitisation workshop against pornography held at hotel Africana last week.

She noted that pornography is Nakulabye is watched during day time in cinemas and halls and when commercial ssengas visit over the weekend.

"In Nakulabye, we receive commercial ssengas who call everyone to attend their sessions, usually women go with their children and they watch and listen to all sorts of pornographic materials, this has to be stopped," said Mukisa.

The chairperson of the pornography committee Dr Annette Kezaabu speaking during the workshop against pornography as a member of the pornography committee Gastone Byamugisha looks on

Delivering his speech, ethics and integrity minister Fr. Simon Lokodo called upon religious leaders to always talk about pornography every first week of the month or just dedicate a month to fight the vice by backing up their sermons with scientific facts on the dangers of pornography.

"People of faith you must play your part in the fight against this cancer, I am requesting everyone to preach about pornography every first week of the month so that we help our children and adults who are suffering with the sin. We must stop this violence against women," said Lokodo.

Lokodo also revealed that he is already to go to court with anyone who is pushing for children to have contraceptives.

During the conference, many religious leaders were called upon to first clean their houses before they start preaching about pornography.

"Some religious leaders enjoy pornography so before we start preaching against this public crisis, let us delete all the nude videos in our phones and also live exemplary lives. Pornography is a ruthless business that deals in the selling of human beings.

"It is evil just like drug trafficking and as addictive as heroin. It should be banned," said Rev Matthew Nasasira from Mityana.

At the conference, many religious leaders were requested to create time and train parents who have failed in their duty to teach ethical values.