KAMPALA – Uganda’s influential Catholic Church leaders have delivered a stinging critique of the country, accusing it of a deep-seated “moral and spiritual crisis” marked by widespread corruption, a troubling disregard for human life, and escalating concerns over human rights.
In a strongly worded pastoral letter, the bishops called for urgent national reflection and a fundamental change in direction.
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Led by Archbishop Joseph Antony Zziwa, the head of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, the senior clerics did not shy away from confronting what they see as a systemic erosion of values.
The letter, a significant intervention from a powerful voice in Ugandan society, highlighted a disturbing rise in violent crime, including domestic killings and mob justice, alongside a robust condemnation of abortion.
The bishops also took aim at the endemic issue of corruption, citing stark figures on the vast sums of public money lost annually. They called for greater accountability and stronger measures to combat the problem, which they say is undermining essential public services and exacerbating poverty.
Concerns over the political climate were also prominent in the letter. The Church leaders voiced alarm at what they described as a growing number of political prisoners and detainees, alleging that security forces were involved in arrests, detentions, and torture of those holding dissenting views. This, they warned, pointed to a worrying trend within the country’s political landscape.
While acknowledging some progress since Uganda’s independence, the bishops questioned whether the nation was still adhering to the foundational principles laid out decades ago. They urged both the public and those in positions of power to take responsibility for the current state of affairs.
The pastoral letter, signed by a broad range of senior figures within the Catholic Church in Uganda, including Archbishop Emeritus Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, serves as a powerful commentary on the social and political challenges facing the country.
The Catholic Church commands a significant following in Uganda, and its pronouncements on matters of national importance often carry considerable weight.
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