SUSPEND FUNDRAISINGS IN CHURCHES, SAY CLERGY

Joshua Kitakule

By JOHN OKOT

Gulu.

The secretary general of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) has asked all religious leaders in the country to suspend fundraising activities in the places of worship as 2016 elections draw closer.

Mr Joshua Kitakule said such activities would tarnish the image of religious institutions as some clerics take advantage of the election period to seek monetary benefits from politicians who are looking for votes.

“Some religious leaders, who often hold continuous fundraising activities whenever elections are approaching, are opportunists. Such actions might create divisions among people during election period,” he said.

Mr Kitakule made the remarks at the launch of the Regional Peace and Stability Forum, dubbed ‘Working Together for Peaceful 2016 General Elections,’ in Gulu Town on Wednesday.
The launch was attended by about 400 religious leaders from different denominations countrywide.

He also urged religious leaders to mobilise aspiring candidates to sensitise them on the importance of peace and unity in places of worship. 
He said this would contribute to a peaceful election period in 2016.

Gulu Catholic Archdiocese, Bishop John Baptist Odama, asked religious leaders to stop politicians from holding campaigns in places of worship.

“We should not give platforms to politicians to campaign in our worship places because many politicians are often involved in bickering, insulting, demeaning and telling lies against their opponents, which can incite violence,” Archbishop Odama said.

CREDIT: MONITOR