Archbishop Lwanga challenges government on corruption in Christmas message
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The Archbishop of Kampala archdiocese Dr.Cyprian Kizito Lwanga has tasked government
to do everything within its means to ensure rampant corruption is dealt with.
Speaking
during the Christmas service at Lubaga Cathedral, Lwanga said that those
involved in the corruption vice have devised sophisticated means to ensure they
are not caught asking government to also get sophisticated in fighting the
vice.
“It is good the president launched a State House anti- corruption unit but we all need to work hand in hand with them to fight the vice eating up our country,”Lwanga said.
“Those
involved in corruption have many sophisticated tactics and many of them have
gone away with it. We know government has all tools to fight corruption and
they should employ them.”
Speaking at
the climax of the anti- corruption week in Kampala early this month president Museveni
said government will soon start confiscating property belonging to officials and
other public servants cited in corruption.
“All property belonging to corrupt officials will be confiscated. But I will first get first-hand information before confiscation of the property and I will order organisations fighting corruption to avail me with more details of stolen money, Museveni said at Kololo independence grounds on December 10.
He launched an Anti- Corruption unit within State House headed by Lt.Col.Edith Nakalema and has since made impromptu visits to various government offices and arrested several public servants alleged to be engaged in corruption.
Speaking
on Christmas day, Archbishop Lwanga said that corrupt officials and individuals
always have ways of getting around court processes and they are later acquitted
of the graft charges which he said is appalling.
“In
courts, their cases are always adjourned until they are acquitted. I ask all
Ugandans to reflect on the country’s motto which says that ‘For God and my
country’. Do things for God and your country. Let the 10 commandments also
guide you,” he urged.
Human rights
The Archbishop of Kampala archdiocese
also raised concern over the manner in which citizens’ human rights are
violated especially by security agencies including police and the army.
He cited the rampant torture and
brutality meted out to people including suspects in the Arua election fracas
whom he said should have been treated in a decent manner.
“We should all have the same definition
and interpretation of human rights. We must promote human rights, justice and
rule of law in the country.”
He said the Arua incident was another incident
that showed that security agencies don’t appreciate human rights adding that in
future, police, army and prison authorities should employ chaplains in their facilities
that would preach to the officers.
Archbishop Lwanga however applauded
president Museveni for listening to religious leaders under the Interreligious council
on the issue of brutalized MPs Bobi Wine and Francis Zaake.
“Many of you may not know but religious leaders
met the president and asked that Bobi Wine and Zaake should not be beaten on
return to the country (from abroad for treatment. This came to pass and they
were not beaten. I thank the president for listening to our advice,” Archbishop
Lwanga said.
On the issue of the national dialogue, he
appreciated efforts for various players to sit together to discuss adding that
it is a big step towards both political and social maturity of the country.
Lwanga however urged the public to always
reflect their lives on the life of Jesus Christ adding that Christmas day
should renew their love and faith in God.
“God created us for a purpose and that is
why He sent his son. We should rejoice in Christianity and the birth of Jesus
Christ,”Lwanga urged.
“We should be a reflection of Jesus
Christ’s life and that is what Christianity is all about.”