Youth told to shun commercialisation of politics

By Natasha Namara                                                             

As the country prepares for the 2021 general elections, hundreds of youth in Uganda have been advised to desist from commercialised politics but rather focus on the politicians' manifestos.

"To the youth of Uganda, I say uphold the good you have seen in the leadership of the older people and desist from the evil you have seen in some of them, lest you too are to be swallowed"  said Stanley Ntagali the outgoing archbishop of the Church Of Uganda.

Speaking during the national youth leaders' prayer day at Golf Course Hotel in Kampala on Wednesday, the archbishop emphasized that commercialization of politics is cheapening since the same politicians will be involved in corruption cases once in office.

Ntagali says the youth are at crossroads with challenges like the pervasiveness of human sexuality, drug and substance abuse, cheap politics and human trafficking which the church has taken responsibility to pray and act on.

"I therefore appeal to you all to stand up and be counted among those who will lead this nation with Excellency" he added.

The national prayer day that was hosted by the Church Of Uganda with the theme "The power of youth positioning for global development" discussed issues like; the role of the church in achieving sustainable development, youth inclusion in decision making and gender equality in sustainable development.

Ntagali however urged the youth to remain in the Lord if they are to experience greater than they could even ever think about.        

He said this basing on his experience where becoming an archbishop had never crossed his mind but because of choosing to remain in God's presence, he has achieved more than his expectations.

Addressing the youth on global development during the prayer day, Mary Kamuli Kuteesa, the Uganda National Roads' Authority (UNRA) director of legal services urged the youth to take responsibility of what whatever that is to their disposal for the glory of God.

Kuteesa who citied Genesis 1:26-28, a scripture that calls for making productive of the earth said that changing Uganda from a third world country will start if people are willing to ensure responsibility and accountability in accordance to God's will.